The idea that God has limitations might seem strange initially, but these “limitations” reveal His perfection and divine nature. While God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere, there are certain things that He cannot do because they would contradict His very essence.
These “impossibilities” are rooted in His character, which is holy, just, and loving. Keep reading to discover 15 things God cannot do and how these truths can deepen your understanding and appreciation of His nature.
God Cannot Sin
“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” -1 John 3:9 NIV
God’s perfection means He is entirely free from sin. He is holy, and sin is utterly contrary to His nature. Because He cannot sin, we can trust Him as the ultimate moral authority.
God Cannot Lie
“God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind.” – Numbers 23:19 NIV
God’s nature is truth. His words are always reliable, and His promises are always fulfilled. This inability to lie underscores His absolute holiness and trustworthiness.
God Cannot Change
“I the Lord do not change.” – Malachi 3:6 NIV
God’s immutability means He remains the same forever. His promises, character, and purposes are unchanging, providing us with a stable foundation in an ever-changing world.
God Cannot Be Unjust
“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”- Hebrews 6:10 NIV
God is perfectly just and fair in all His ways. His justice ensures that He always does what is right, and He will judge all things with righteousness and equity.
God Cannot Be Tempted by Evil
“For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.” – James 1:13 NIV
God’s purity means that evil holds no sway over Him. He is wholly good and undeniably contrasts the corruption of sin.
God Cannot Forget His Promises
“He said: “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.”- 2 Chronicles 6:14 NIV
God’s faithfulness is unwavering. He remembers every promise He has made and is committed to fulfilling them, assuring us that His word is dependable.
God Cannot Be Limited by Time or Space
“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.”- Psalms 90:2 NIV
God exists outside of time and space, meaning He is not bound by the limitations that we experience. He sees all of history at once and is present everywhere, at all times.
God Cannot Deny Himself
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”- 2 Timothy 2:13 NIV
God’s identity is rooted in His truthfulness and consistency. He cannot act against His own character or nature, ensuring His faithfulness to His people.
God Cannot Be Overcome by Darkness
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5 NIV
God is the source of all light and goodness, and no amount of darkness can extinguish His light. This truth gives us hope that evil will never have the final say.
God Cannot Break a Covenant
“My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.”- Psalms 89:34 NIV
When God makes a covenant, He keeps it. His promises are eternal and unbreakable, assuring us that He will always honor His commitments.
God Cannot Be Unfaithful
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”- 2 Timothy 2:13 NIV
God’s faithfulness is absolute. He remains true to His word and His people, regardless of circumstances, assuring us of His unwavering commitment to us.
God Cannot Be Defeated
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”- Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
God is all-powerful; He created everything, and nothing can stand against Him. No force in heaven or on earth can thwart His plans or overcome His might.
God Cannot Grow Weary
“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary.” – Isaiah 40:28 NIV
God never grows weary; thus, He can uphold and sustain all things; His strength is limitless and boundless.
God Cannot Be Wrong
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him”- Psalm 18:30 NIV
God doesn’t make mistakes. It is impossible! He is perfect in every way. His wisdom is perfect, He doesn’t change, and He always accomplishes what He sets out to do! Trust in His guidance.
God Cannot Abandon His Children
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5
He promises never to leave or forsake us. We are confident in the fact that He is always with us.
This is Our Confidence In Him
These “limitations” of God reveal His perfection and why He is worthy of our trust and worship. By understanding what God cannot do, we gain a deeper appreciation of His divine nature and how He operates in our lives. Rest in the knowledge that God is always faithful, just, and true.
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Susan is a mother of four beautiful babies and a born-again Christian. She took over Hope No Matter What in 2024 and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Her passion is to bring hope and encouragement to others, and she prays that by sharing her knowledge and personal story, she can inspire others to find enlightenment in God's word.