In the Scriptures, the flood marks a dark and significant turning point in human history, highlighting the extent of the corruption of the human heart. Before the flood, the Bible describes a society drowned in violence, where wickedness seems to have taken root in every aspect of human life.

This chapter addresses the state of the world before this great catastrophe and explores how divine destruction was presented as a necessary response to purify a humanity that had gone deeply astray. This biblical account vividly illustrates the gravity of widespread wickedness and the urgency of restoring divine order, showing that God, while loving, also exercises righteous judgment in the face of extreme evil.

At that time, wickedness had multiplied on Earth to such an extent that “The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5).

This poignant verse reveals not only the depth of human corruption but also the grip of violence and evil on people’s hearts. It shows us that long before the flood arrived, humans had abandoned God’s ways, living according to their own instincts and passions, with hearts turned entirely toward destruction, selfishness, and indifference.

This society, described as utterly corrupt, illustrates how wickedness can spread and contaminate an entire civilization. Each act of violence, every injustice, and every moral deviation serves here as a reminder that the human heart, without divine guidance, can quickly fall into chaos. Social bonds are broken, communities are disintegrated by both collective and individual sin, turning the earth into a place of suffering and hostility. As author Oswald Chambers explains:

“Sin is not just an isolated act; it is a disease of the soul that spreads to everything it touches” (Chambers, 1935).

This disease had infected every human being, turning the world into a field of moral and spiritual ruins.

The violence described in the account of the flood is not only physical violence, but also violence of the mind, of thought, and of intention. It is written that man’s thoughts were continually oriented toward evil. In other words, it was no longer a matter of a few isolated acts of wickedness, but a global mindset, a climate in which perversion and injustice had become cultural norms.

Here we find the idea that when societies move away from God, they quickly fall into a form of total disorder. Human beings, made in the image of God, lose sight of their own dignity and that of others, which inevitably leads to a world of chaos and destruction.

Violence, selfishness, and injustice are visible manifestations of a corrupted heart, incapable of perceiving the value of others or respecting the order established by God. In the pre-flood society, people lived without rules or laws, driven by their desires and basest instincts. It was as though all humanity had turned away from its spiritual calling and plunged into a purely material life, where each individual sought only to satisfy their own needs and ambitions at the expense of others.

The Bible shows us that, without a living relationship with God, the human heart is prone to fall into darkness, unable to find a balance between its desires and moral values.

Divine Destruction as a Response to Widespread Wickedness

Faced with this situation of total wickedness, God makes a decision that seems radical but necessary: He chooses to destroy this corrupted humanity in order to restore original purity.

“I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth… for I regret that I have made them” (Genesis 6:7).

This passage reveals the seriousness of the situation. Indeed, God, who is love and compassion, is compelled to take extreme measures to restore order and justice in His creation. It is not out of cruelty that God makes this decision, but out of a desire to preserve what is still good, just, and holy.

This divine destruction falls within a framework of justice, reminding us that God, as Creator, has the authority to judge His creation. The earth, defiled by human sin, could no longer fulfill its role as a sanctuary of life. Through this decision, God shows that even His tolerance has limits and that wickedness, when left unchecked, inevitably leads to destruction. As Psalm 103:6 states:

“The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.”

Thus, this judgment is a response to the cries of a land enslaved by violence and injustice.

By sending the flood, God does not merely aim to punish, but to purify. It is an act of renewal, an attempt to reestablish a world of peace and justice. The rain, which falls for forty days and forty nights, washes the earth of all its impurities and brings back a form of silence and peace after the screams of human violence.

This water, a symbol of purification, becomes the tool through which God chooses to recreate the world, starting anew with Noah and his family, chosen for their faithfulness and righteousness. Indeed, Noah is described as “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time” (Genesis 6:9), proof that even in a corrupted world, it is possible to remain faithful to God.

The flood also reminds us that even though human wickedness can reach great heights, it does not have the final word. God, in His wisdom, is not defeated by evil; He acts to restore what has been destroyed, to regenerate what has been defiled. This destruction is not an end in itself, but a means to give humanity a second chance to live in harmony with the Creator.

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, it is written: “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20), and this principle applies perfectly here. Despite the gravity of humanity’s sins, God always offers a way out, a hope for those who seek to return to Him.

The flood is therefore not merely an act of destruction, but an act of reconstruction, a lesson for humanity on the consequences of wickedness and the necessity of staying close to God to avoid falling into chaos. By recounting this story, the Bible invites us to reflect on the effects of our own actions on the world around us. If wickedness could spread across the entire earth at that time, it can just as easily spread into our lives and communities if we are not careful.

In our own society, violence and corruption sometimes seem to reach alarming levels. But the story of the flood reminds us that it is always possible to choose a different path to avoid falling. As the proverb says, “He who sows the wind reaps the storm” (Popular Proverb).

Likewise, by cultivating wickedness, man reaps bitter fruits that poison society. The flood teaches us that the consequences of our actions do not end with our own lives but extend far beyond, influencing the whole world.

In short, the flood, far from being a simple event of destruction, is a warning and a call to vigilance. It shows us that although God’s mercy is infinite, it does not cancel out the consequences of our actions. The purification through the waters of the flood is a reminder that sometimes evil must be eliminated for good to thrive…

This text is an excerpt from the book “THE WICKEDNESS OF THE HUMAN HEART” written by Préfradet Bantsimba Baloutelaho.

We invite you to read the next article: “Injustice and Oppression: Bitter Fruits of Wickedness.”