Does God change His mind?

When reading the Bible or going through your faith journey, you will naturally raise several questions that are difficult to answer. Among these is the question of whether God changes His mind.

Does God change His mind?

What makes this question so difficult to answer is that doing so with certainty would be to presume to know the way God thinks. Religious scholars have argued over the answer to this question for years, those on both sides of the aisle with a degree of certainty that they have figured it out based on their interpretation of Scripture.

But, when it comes down to it, it’s Scripture itself that is vague. Some passages suggest that God is unchanging and unchangeable. Others suggest that He is capable of changing His mind.

Those who believe God is unchanging assert that the passages that suggest He changes are subject to conditions, like the moments where it seems like someone changes Him are just ultimately orchestrated by Him for a teaching purpose or to reveal something about His character.

Those who believe God can be changed assert the passages about God’s unchanging character or omniscience refer to the grandness of His character but that He is still capable of changing His mind as He is alive and has a free will.

In short, none of us can presume with certainty whether God can or cannot change His mind. It’s best for us to focus on learning what we can from the passages that speak to His character or thoughts. Ultimately, we can accept that it’s not our place to know God’s thoughts with certainty, but to trust in Him and His plan:

“I don’t think the way you think.

    The way you work isn’t the way I work.”

        God’s Decree.

“For as the sky soars high above earth,

    so the way I work surpasses the way you work,

    and the way I think is beyond the way you think.

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies

    and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth,

Doing their work of making things grow and blossom,

    producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,

So will the words that come out of my mouth

    not come back empty-handed.

They’ll do the work I sent them to do,

    they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.”

• Isaiah 55:8-11 (MSG)

Centerpoint Church is ready to walk with you on your faith journey

At Centerpoint, our community believes in purpose and passion, and we would love to walk with you on your journey in finding yours. We are currently going through a new sermon series titled “To Hell With Normal.” It’s all about redefining what we consider normal in life as we seek to make our lives more like the way Jesus would have them to be. 

Do you want to grow in your faith or are you simply curious about who this Jesus guy is? You’re not alone. We encourage you to listen to our series online and welcome you to come to one of our Sunday morning services in Valrico, Florida.