How should Genesis 6:11 influence our understanding of God's view on sin? Setting the Scene “Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence.” (Genesis 6:11) Before the Flood, sin had saturated every corner of society. The verse paints a stark picture: corruption and violence were not isolated problems; they had become the planet’s dominant atmosphere. God’s holy gaze took it all in, and He was not indifferent. What the Verse Tells Us About God’s View of Sin • Sin is objective corruption. When God calls something “corrupt,” that verdict is final. • Sin is visible to God. Nothing hides behind cultural norms or private motives; “in the sight of God” means total exposure. • Sin spreads. Violence mushroomed because unchecked sin multiplies and worsens. • Sin provokes divine action. Genesis 6 moves immediately from this description to God’s plan for judgment, showing His intolerance of persistent evil. God’s Character on Display • Holiness: God’s standards don’t shift with culture; He remains morally pure. • Justice: A global Flood may look severe, yet it underscores that God judges impartially and thoroughly. • Patience: The building of the ark signaled decades of warning before judgment fell, highlighting divine longsuffering. • Grace: Even in wrath, God preserved Noah and his family, demonstrating mercy for those who walk with Him. Lessons for Daily Life • Take sin seriously. If God was moved to cleanse the earth, we cannot shrug off moral compromise. • Recognize God sees it all. Hidden habits and private thoughts are transparent before Him. • Expect sin’s ripple effect. Personal corruption inevitably breeds relational “violence”—division, hostility, and harm. • Trust God’s justice. Outrage over today’s violence finds an anchor in the certainty that God will set everything right. • Live as preservers. Like Noah, believers are called to stand apart, modeling integrity in a corrupt world. Putting It into Practice 1. Examine: Regularly invite God to search your heart for corrupt patterns (Psalm 139:23–24). 2. Confess: Agree with God about sin’s seriousness and receive the cleansing promised in 1 John 1:9. 3. Guard: Filter influences that normalize violence or moral decay, choosing what builds purity. 4. Peacemake: Counter a violent culture with active reconciliation, generosity, and sacrificial love. 5. Point to Christ: Use conversations about society’s brokenness to share the rescue God offers through the cross—the ultimate ark of salvation. Genesis 6:11 reminds us that sin is not merely a mistake; it is a corrosive force that God confronts decisively. Embracing His viewpoint leads to repentance, holy living, and hopeful confidence in His righteous rule. |
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