"For I am the Lord, I change not." Malachi 3:6

"If they break my statues, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes, Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant I will not break, not alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." Psalm 89:31-34

There are conditions to the fulfillment of a personal prophecy as much as there are conditions for the fulfillment of the written Word of God, Righteous living and obedience is always implied and involved whether spoken or not spoken. The Word of God must be our governing standard of behavior. Personal prophecy does not negate the commands of the Bible. However, if conditions are not specific, it is generally implied that God's goodness towards mankind is not permanently set in concrete but is conditional on the basis of man's attitudes, response and behavior.

In dealing with God changing His mind, therefore, the onus is not on God. It is on those He has spoken to by word, preaching, teaching, or a personal prophetic word. Therein lies the responsibility of whether God does what He says.

One thought is also to realize for a New Testament Christian, God is not dealing with us like He dealt with His Old Testament people. They were not born again because Christ had not yet come. He is nevertheless the same God showing amazing love to whosoever will seek Him. So God can change His mind, alter His original plan on the basis of obedience and human behavior. I am sure there are enough "If you's " in the New Testament for us to understand there are conditions for present blessings. Deuteronomy 28:1 and 2 is a classic Old Testament admonition that is applicable to us today:

"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments, which I command they this day that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: and all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord they God."

However, when placed in a New Testament era of abundant grace, which we are at present, there is much greater fulfillment and room for mercy and favor, instant forgiveness and instant blessing. This was not apparent under the Law nor could be in the Old Testament times where God's dealings were mainly yes or no, black or white, limited grace, mercy and favor; judgment and instant penalty in many instances.

If I gave a summary on 'God Changing His Mind', it could be all of the following:

1. The recipient of the prophecy did not behave himself/herself accordingly, to conform to God's standard required of them, i.e. to stay in faith, live right, not wickedly.
2. Or, God says they are going to die because of their wickedness and when they repent and turn from their sins the prophetic word is reversed as in the case of Hezekiah when he sought the Lord and 15 years were added to his life (Isaiah 38:1-5). In Acts 5:1-11 we read what happened to Ananias and Sapphira when they lied to the Holy Spirit. We wonder if they could have repented?
3. The believer would begin exercising faith then get into doubt and unbelief, thus hindering God fulfilling His Word on their behalf. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) but if they repent God restores them and His Word comes to pass.

Jonah was hesitant to go to Ninevah, not because he didn't want to obey God, but (my personal view) he knew God could change His mind if the people repented. Then the people could think he was a false prophet when what he prophesied did not come to pass. In this instance it didn't. Other similar instances likewise illustrate the point. Obviously God warned of the worse but He too hoped for the best; in many instances the best happened.

Many people quote "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18). A more thorough Hebrew translation says, "Where there is no prophecy or prophetic vision the people perish" (or don't know what to do). The hundreds of silent years before the coming of Jesus was a judgment on Israel. So the activity of true prophecy amongst God's people is a definite sign of God's favor, even in the context of the unsaved who are warned by God through the gift of prophecy in operation where unsaved are present in a church service (1 Corinthians 14: 24 & 25):

"But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth."

This also tells us that Joel's prophetic predictions in Acts 2:16-18 for the New Covenant era was a sign of God's favor to all who would believe in Jesus. His birth, life, death and resurrection has made it possible for God to resume normal communication through the written Word of God and manifestations of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2). "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

Does God change His mind? Yes, not because He is not sure, but on the basis of a person to whom a word of prophecy was given forfeits the promise God made because they were disobedient or went into flagrant sin. Or, in Old Testament and New Testament times when people whom God said were going to die because of their lifestyle, suddenly saw the error of their ways, repented, allowing God to change His mind over their particular situation and brought blessing instead of what He originally decreed. Obviously sin is still sin in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. We know a more complex set of laws governed Old Testament people from born again New Testament, Spirit-filled people. God has not sent the Old Testament prophet to the New Testament church but personal obedience is still required Old Testament or New Testament. Obstinate, rebellious sinners can still have Old Testament penalties visited upon them in New Testament times.

As Jeremiah 18: 10 reminds us, God rejecters (O.T.) or Christ rejecters (N.T.) within the context of that chapter, these words could be written on many a grave stone today:

"And they do evil in My sight, and obeying not My voice, then I will regret and reverse My decision concerning the good with which I said I would benefit them" (Amplified Bible).

God can change His mind, yes, not arbitrarily or whimsically, but in accordance with His Word and human obedience on the part of the human race.

"If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land." Amen! (Isaiah 1:19 Amplified Bible)

Gordon White