Mr Banks,
Would you mind reading this topic reply I wrote a while ago based on God repenting? I think it would be helpful to see what is meant by the fact God repents and also I'd be interested in your response.
Yes, God does repent, but does that impinge on His Omniscience? It doesn't. It just shows how His mercy and His love, and many other of His characteristics work together in balance... any way here it is.
http://www.jesus-christ-forums.com/home/viewtopic ... ght=repent
If the link doesn't work, then it's in the free for all discussion under "Does God change His mind."
For everyone else
God does change His mind, but under specific conditions and for specific reasons. However this idea of thinking and repenting, is in a different context to us thinking and it being considered sin.
Sin is sin when it's acted out in our minds, as much as when it is acted out in person. Why? because sins acted out in the mind, are as intentional sin as that which is actually committed. It also devalues the person we are sinning "with" in our mind. Jesus said as Aineo said in His post, that there is no difference between lusting after someone in your mind, as in actually commiting adultery. It matters not what sexual orientation you follow, when you act out sin in your mind, you may as well be doing it.
You see, it's all about purity of heart and mind as well as body, and no one can claim they are without sin.. even the most purest person alive has committed sin in their attitudes.. and for this reason, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God".
God provided for man's complete inability to meet the demands of the law, by the death and resurrection of Jesus, and it's in this background, that Mr Banks verses which talk of God repenting find it's fullest explanation.