What does it mean that God is not a genie?
Caricatures of God, both in secular venues and among some Christians, sometimes portray God as a genie who is present to fulfill all our wishes and desires. Such teaching may talk of prayer as essentially a formula to get God to do what you want Him to do. The view of God as a genie portrays Him as a servant to us. But God is not a genie. God is not the servant of humans. He is not magical or mystical, bound to our whims if only we get the right formula.Rather, God is creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16). Humans are His creation, made in His image, for relationship with Him, and for His glory (Genesis 1:26–27). But due to sin (going against God's ways), we are naturally separated from Him (Romans 3:23; 6:23). There is nothing we can do to solve this problem on our own (Romans 5:6; Ephesians 2:1–3). But God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him and saved—He sent Jesus Christ, who was fully human, fully God, to live a perfect life, die as atonement for our sins, and be raised back to life victorious over sin and death (John 3:16–18; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:6–11; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8; Ephesians 2:4–10). God is certainly not a genie! He is supreme over everything. Relationship with Him is a privilege granted to us by His grace and received through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1–5; Ephesians 2:8–10; Hebrews 4:14–16; 10:19–23).
If belief in God is presented as nothing but wish fulfillment from a genie, those who choose to believe in such a god are sure to end up disappointed. While the secular world or some cultural Christianity may portray God as a means to get what we want in life, the message we see in the Bible is quite different. God is not a genie.
When the disciples expressed their belief in Jesus as the Son of God, "Jesus answered them, 'Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world'" (John 16:31–33). Similarly, Paul tells Timothy, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said that we are blessed when we are persecuted; He was also persecuted (Matthew 5:10; John 15:18).
The Bible not only talks about suffering as a reality for those who follow Christ—something that would not be the case were God a genie—it talks about having joy in the midst of suffering. Paul wrote to the Romans, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:1–5). James said to "count it all joy" when facing trials (James 1:2–4). Peter similarly talks about having joy in the great reality of salvation even in the midst of trials, and the positive effect that trials can have (1 Peter 1:3–9).
Romans 8:28–30 declares, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." God does work for the good of His people, but He is not a genie. Our ultimate good is to be conformed to the image of Christ. God is working to sanctify those who are His, not to fulfill our wishes and desires (Philippians 1:6; 2:12–13). Again, the Bible never presents God as a genie.
As our Father, God does bless us and He loves to care and provide for us. He is aware of every need we have: "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:30–33). We can trust God. Those who are His children through Jesus Christ are invited to present our requests to Him in prayer (Matthew 6:5–15; Philippians 4:6–9). He knows us and cares for us (1 Peter 5:6–7). The Bible portrays God as holy, righteous, just, sovereign creator, merciful, abounding in grace, and as a loving Father. God is not a genie bound to the whims of humans.
What does belief in God include? Here are just a few things:
God is a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11), but He is not a genie in a bottle present for our wish fulfillment. And, many times, His blessings look different than what we expect. Belief in God is far beyond having wishes granted by a genie; it is an adventure that directs the whole course of your life: "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8–9).
The attributes of God, what are they?
Are any of God's attributes above all the others?
Why pray? What is the purpose of prayer?
What is the importance of daily prayer in the life of a Christian?
Is God man made? Did people create the idea of God?
Truth about God
