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Are You Deciding What’s Good Without God?

Every day, we make choices—big and small. But how often do we stop to discern God’s will instead of deciding what’s right based on our judgment?

In Genesis 6:1–4, we see a disturbing pattern of rebellion that echoes the first sin in the Garden of Eden. The sons of God see that the daughters of men are “good” and take them as they choose—mirroring Eve’s decision to take the forbidden fruit.

This passage is mysterious, but its message is clear:

• When we define good on our terms, we step outside God’s will.
• Sin distorts the boundaries God established for our flourishing.
• God’s judgment is real—but so is His plan for redemption.

Let’s uncover its lessons for our lives today.

The Saw-Good-Take Pattern: A Rebellion Against God’s Order

Genesis 6:2 says:

“The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were attractive, and they took as their wives any they chose.”

This saw-good-take pattern mirrors Genesis 3, where Eve:

1. Saw that the fruit was good for wisdom.
2. Judged it as desirable—even though God had forbidden it.
3. Took the fruit and ate.

In both cases, a divine boundary was crossed:

• Eve rejected God’s command and ate the fruit.
• The sons of God ignored God’s design and took human women.

The problem wasn’t just their actions but their failure to trust God’s judgment over their own.

We repeat the same mistake when we decide what’s right based on our desires instead of God’s Word.

Who Were the Sons of God? Three Major Views

This passage has sparked debate for centuries. The “sons of God” could be:

1. Divine Beings (Fallen Angels)

• The phrase “sons of God” (B’nai Elohim) appears in Job 1:6 and Job 38:7 to describe angelic beings.
• 1 Enoch, an ancient Jewish text, expands on this idea—describing fallen angels called “Watchers” who took human wives and corrupted humanity.
• This view explains why the Nephilim (mighty men) were so extraordinary.

Challenge: Jesus says angels do not marry (Matthew 22:30), raising questions about how this could happen.

2. Powerful Human Kings

• In the ancient Near East, kings were often called sons of God as divine representatives.
• Some scholars believe Genesis 6 describes rulers abusing power—accumulating wives and acting like tyrants.
• The Nephilim (mighty men of old) could be warriors who helped these kings dominate others.

Challenge: This doesn’t fully explain why this event was so significant that it triggered the flood.

3. The Line of Seth (Godly Descendants) Marrying the Line of Cain

• Genesis 4–5 traces two lines:
  • Cain’s descendants (wicked and rebellious).
  • Seth’s descendants (calling on God’s name).
• This view suggests that the sons of God (Seth’s line) intermarried with the daughters of men (Cain’s line), leading to moral corruption.

🔹 Challenge: This interpretation fits with Genesis’ theme of keeping God’s people set apart, but it doesn’t fully explain the Nephilim as mighty warriors.

Who Were the Nephilim? Corrupt Giants or Fallen Warriors?

Genesis 6:4 describes the Nephilim as “the mighty men of old, the men of renown.”

Some believe they were:

🛡️ The offspring of the sons of God and the daughters of men.
🛡️ Giant warriors who oppressed others (Numbers 13:33 mentions Nephilim among Canaan’s giants).
🛡️ Symbolic of human corruption and unchecked ambition.

Rather than being heroes, they likely represent the growing rebellion and violence of the world before the flood.

The Breakdown of Boundaries Leads to Chaos

Genesis 6 isn’t just about who the sons of God and Nephilim were—it’s about what happens when humanity disregards God’s boundaries.

The creation story in Genesis 1 shows God establishing order:

• He separates the waters from the land.
• He distinguishes day from night.
• He creates humans, male and female.

But in Genesis 6, boundaries collapse:

• Heavenly and earthly beings intermingle.
• Human sin spirals out of control.
• Violence and corruption fill the earth (Genesis 6:5).

This sets the stage for the flood, which is an act of decreation—God undoing creation before restoring it through Noah.

The message is clear:
When we reject God’s design, we invite chaos.

The Tower of Babel Connection: The Desire to Be Like God

Genesis 6 and Genesis 11 (the Tower of Babel) share a common theme: Humanity rejects God’s authority and seeks its own way.

Just as the sons of God crossed divine boundaries, the people of Babel:

• Tried to “make a name for themselves” apart from God.
• Unified in rebellion instead of obedience.
• Faced judgment, as God scattered them.

Both stories show what happens when humans try to define good and evil for themselves—it leads to disaster.

Jesus: The True Son of God Who Restores Order

Where the sons of God failed in Genesis 6, Jesus—the true Son of God—fulfilled God’s will perfectly.

Instead of taking what wasn’t His, He humbled Himself (Philippians 2:6–8).
Instead of corrupting the world, He redeemed it.
Instead of bringing judgment, He took judgment upon Himself.

Jesus reestablishes the boundaries of God’s Kingdom—restoring us to our rightful place as children of God (John 1:12).

What Can We Learn from Genesis 6 Today?

This passage challenges us to ask:
Are we following God’s design—or redefining good on our own terms?

Practical Steps to Stay Aligned with God’s Will

✅ Seek God’s wisdom in decision-making (James 1:5).
✅ Recognize and respect the boundaries God has set (in relationships, morality, and faith).
✅ Avoid compromise with worldly influences that pull you away from God.
✅ Submit to Christ as Lord instead of seeking autonomy.

Genesis 6 warns us that when we live without God’s guidance, we invite destruction—but through Christ, we can be restored to our true calling.

Final Challenge: Take Action This Week

This week, reflect on how you’re making decisions:

• Are there areas where you define good apart from God’s Word?
• Are you crossing any boundaries that God has set for your good?
• How can you submit more fully to Christ’s authority?

Reflection Questions:

• Where do you see the “saw-good-take” pattern in your own life?
• How does the flood story connect to humanity’s ongoing rebellion?
• What does it mean to fully trust God’s definition of good instead of your own?
• What step will you take this week to walk in greater obedience?

Let’s commit to honoring God’s design, seeking His wisdom, and trusting in Christ alone.

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