Jump Start # 833

Genesis 6:6 “The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”

Our verse today reveals what led up to the flood in which God destroyed all life except for what was in the ark.  The previous verse states that “the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Constantly thinking evil. Engaging in great evil. Only evil. Continually evil. God had enough. He was through with those people. He was starting over.

This verse tells us several things:

First, our actions and our thoughts affect God. Our rebellion breaks the heart of God. There is no such thing as, “what I am doing only affects me.” There is no such thing as, “What I am doing doesn’t hurt anyone else.” Yes it does. It affects God. The evil of those people made God regret that He made man. God grieved. We understand grief from death and funerals. There is another form of grief. It comes from great disappointment when others are not doing what they should. Parents can grieve the ungodly behavior of their children. The righteous can grieve the ungodly behavior of church members. Paul told the Corinthians that they should have mourned the conduct of the brother who was living immorally. We are connected to others and what we do has an impact upon others.

Second, some people are very bad. The expressions in Genesis illustrate the depth of brokenness of Noah’s world. Every intent was evil continually. Every. Always. Continually. This wasn’t a  moment of weakness. This was an every day thing. This was the direction that they had chosen.

Third, there is a direct connection between thinking evil continually and doing great evil. Our minds fuel our behavior. Evil thoughts become evil action. If you want to stop the evil, the thinking must change. Imagine the opposite. Instead of thinking evil continually, thinking righteously continually. Thinking of God. Meditating upon His word. Thinking of how to live to please God. Thinking of what good you can do today. Thinking, thinking, thinking. All that thinking translates into actions. Dreaming of evil. Talking about evil. Reading about evil. Hanging around evil. Watching evil. All this translates into doing great evil. It’s no surprise. I’m shocked at some parents who are amazed that their child is arrested or kicked out of school for doing something wrong. The child’s world has been evil. Nothing good. Nothing godly. Bent and twisted thinking has led to that action. Where are the prayers around the table? Where are the Bible studies? Where are the worship services? Where are the serving others? A world of selfish and evil thinking leads to selfish and evil actions.

Fourth, the presence of Noah reminds us that he chose a different path than everyone else. God spared Noah. Hebrews tells us that he operated “by faith.” It’s hard to imagine how difficult it would have been for Noah. No church to encourage. No godly friends to share good times with. Everyone he encountered every day, aside from his family, was evil. Evil continually. It’s hard to be honest when others are not. It’s hard to go by the rules when others are not. It’s hard to be kind when others are not. It’s hard to remain focused upon God when others have turned their backs to God. Noah did. Noah did not grieve God.

A person can be evil or righteous. Their choice. Parents have a lot to do with this but not 100%. I’ve seen behavior swing both directions regardless of what parents did. Much is what we are filling our minds and hearts with. Much has to do with who we hang around with. Much has to do with how serious we are with God.

Breaking God’s heart or pleasing God…making God angry or putting a smile on God’s face. Which will it be?

Roger