Why do you do what you do? What is your intention? What is the definition of intention? Well, let’s take a look:

intention

noun

in·ten·tion in-ˈten(t)-shən

Synonyms of intention

: what one intends to do or bring about

: the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered

: a determination to act in a certain way : resolve

intentions plural : purpose with respect to marriage

: import, significance

: a process or manner of healing of incised wounds

: concept

especially : a concept considered as the product of attention directed to an object of knowledge

This morning, I with my neighbors commanded the day to bow to the will of Adonai. Our intention is to have a blessed day for the glory of Adonai.

Intentions are mentioned in the Bible especially those who questioned Jesus… I felt negatively towards those who questioned Jesus. Why? Because if Jesus had been up to no good, no one would have questioned him. Coming from Texas where cults are a way of life, these so called leaders are NEVER questioned. Why? Because their intentions were evil. I feel like I grew up in upsidedown world. But God, delivered me from cults and allows me to have a relationship of clarity and truth via His Grace and I am glad about it.

What are your intentions in this day? Why do you do what you do?

The Bible reveals that God knows and searches human intentions, which are critical to the spiritual life and are judged by Him. God’s intentions are revealed through His Word and the Holy Spirit, who helps believers understand His mind and discern righteousness, while His plan for humanity involves establishing His Kingdom on Earth. Individuals must also examine their own intentions, as God reveals what is hidden to hold people accountable for the motivations behind their actions. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

God’s View of Human Intentions

God searches the heart: Scripture teaches that the Lord examines motives, even when people perceive their own actions as pure. Passages like Jeremiah 17:10 and Proverbs 16:2 emphasize that God understands and tests the thoughts of the heart. [1, 2]
Intentions are a critical component of righteousness: The Bible presents intentions as a crucial element of righteousness, not just external actions. [2]
God will reveal all intentions: God will ultimately bring to light the hidden things and the true motives of every person’s heart, at which point each will receive praise or judgment accordingly. [2, 5]

God’s Intentions and Plan

God’s overarching plan: The Bible reveals God’s purpose to establish His Kingdom and to see it flourish on Earth. [3]
Guidance through the Holy Spirit: Believers can understand God’s intentions and gain the “mind of Christ” through the Holy Spirit, who searches all things and teaches what is spiritually true. [4]
The role of God’s Word: God’s Word is living and active, capable of discerning and exposing the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [6]

How to Understand and Align with God’s Intentions

Align with God’s Word: To understand the Lord’s intent, one must be filled with His Word and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. [4]
Seek a dislocated heart: A sincere desire to fulfill God’s agenda is a key aspect of becoming a true disciple, motivated by a holy ambition to see His Kingdom on Earth. [3]
Examine your motives: Be aware that while people may judge themselves, God is the ultimate judge of motives. James 4:3 cautions that prayers with wrong motives are not received. [1, 2, 7]

Examples from Scripture

Jesus on intentions: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands on the Law, stating that sinful intentions, such as lust (Matthew 5:27-28) or anger (Matthew 5:21-22), are as significant as the sinful acts themselves. [8]
Old Testament context: In the Mosaic Law, there were provisions for unintentional sins, requiring different atonement sacrifices, showing that God takes intent into account. [9]
David’s prayer: David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 28:9 asks Solomon to serve God with a “whole heart and with a willing mind,” reflecting the importance of pure motives in serving God. [1]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.growingingrace.blog/2021/03/29/god-sees-your-intentions/

[2] https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_power_of_intentions.htm

[3] https://livingontheedge.org/2022/05/09/scriptures-that-reveal-gods-purpose/

[4] https://www.kingdomcitizens.org/kingdom-living-blog/understanding-gods-original-intent

[5] https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-13.htm

[6] https://biblehub.com/topical/i/intentions_matter.htm

[7] https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_role_of_intentions.htm

[8] https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_importance_of_intentions.htm

[9] https://biblehub.com/topical/i/intentions.htm

Intentions do matter. Why we do what we do matters. The source of our intentions matter. It IS the thought that counts.

1 Corinthians 13 New International Version

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹²For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes

1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames

New International Version (NIV)

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The Beatitudes

He said:

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

¹³“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder

²¹“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²²But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister^[b]^[c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

²³“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

²⁵“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

²⁷“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^[e] ²⁸But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

³¹“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^[f] ³²But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

³³“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ ³⁴But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^[g]

Eye for Eye

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^[h] ³⁹But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴²Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.