Growing with Jesus

  God’s Justice, God’s Heart, and the Innocence of Animals A Bible Study on Creation, Judgment, and Comfort Introduction There are parts of Scripture that don’t just challenge our understanding — they touch our hearts. Questions about judgment, creation, animals, and God’s justice can linger for years if they aren’t carefully examined through the lens of God’s Word. This study looks at what the Bible actually teaches about: God’s regret and grief Animals and moral responsibility Whether animals can be blamed for human sin God’s justice and mercy in a fallen world The goal is not speculation, but peace through truth . “Let God be true, but every man a liar.” — Romans 3:4 1. God’s Regret Does Not Mean God Made a Mistake Genesis 6:5–7 Scripture says that God “regretted” making humanity and that His heart was deeply troubled. This does not mean God made an error. Biblically, regret here means grief , not mistake. God is not discovering new information or realizing failure. Instead, Sc...

  The Yeast/Leaven of Herod Most Bible teaching focuses on the yeast (leaven) of the Pharisees and Sadducees, but Jesus also warned about the yeast of Herod —and that warning is often overlooked. In Mark 8:15 , Jesus told His disciples: “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.” Jesus wasn’t warning them about bread—He was warning them about influence. That warning matters because leaven spreads quietly . In Scripture, yeast (leaven) is often a picture of influence—something that grows and permeates. Sometimes it can symbolize good growth, but in this case Jesus uses it as a warning about corrupting influence. Paul uses the same principle: 1 Corinthians 5:6 — “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Galatians 5:9 — “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Jesus warned against the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and the Sadducees’ doctrinal error (compare Matthew 16:6, 11–12 ; Luke 12:1 ). But He also warned against something else: the worldly, poli...