Can God Change His Mind?

St. Charles | Bob Ingle
August 30, 2026
Jonah 3:10

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” Jonah 3:10 (ESV) 

1. GOD IS CONSTANT IN HIS CHARACTER

“For I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6 (ESV)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

“Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. But you are always the same; you will live forever.” Psalm 102:25-27 (NLT)

-> God's NATURE doesn't change. 

-> God's KNOWLEDGE doesn't change.

“Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.” Psalm 139:4 (ESV)

“I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning.” Isaiah 46:9–10 (ESV)

-> God's CHARACTER doesn't change.

“I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Jonah 4:2 (ESV) 

Our confidence isn’t that LIFE won’t change; but that our GOD won’t.

2. GOD IS COMPASSIONATE IN HIS WARNING

“Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” Jonah 3:4b (ESV)

“For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23a (ESV)

“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 (ESV)

God's warnings are not only REAL, but also REDEMPTIVE.

“As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Ezekiel 33:11a (ESV)

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” Hebrews 3:15 (ESV)

3. GOD IS CONSISTENT IN HIS RESPONSE

 “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” Jonah 3:10 (ESV)

“The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6b (ESV)

“(Jesus) bore our sins in his body on the cross...” 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)