How can we ensure our intentions align with God's will in our actions? Setting the Scene - Genesis 42 shows Joseph’s brothers standing before the Egyptian governor—Joseph himself, though they do not recognize him. - A severe famine drives them from Canaan to Egypt in search of grain. - Their declaration frames the study: “Not so, my lord,” they replied. “Your servants have come to buy food.” (Genesis 42:10) Truthful Intentions Matter - The brothers insist their motive is simple: purchasing food to preserve life. - While their statement is factually correct, the chapter also exposes lingering guilt over past sin (42:21). God uses the moment to test, refine, and ultimately restore them. - Scripture treats motives as visible to Him and integral to obedience. “All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.” (Proverbs 16:2) Principles for Aligning Intentions with God’s Will - God sees the heart 1 Samuel 16:7: “The LORD does not see as man does… the LORD sees the heart.” - Invite His searching Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God… lead me in the way everlasting.” - Submit plans to His sovereignty James 4:13-15 stresses saying, “If the Lord is willing.” - Trust rather than lean on self Proverbs 3:5-6 promises straight paths when we acknowledge Him. - Aim for His glory, not human applause Matthew 6:1; Galatians 1:10 caution against people-pleasing. - Act under Christ’s name Colossians 3:17 directs every word and deed “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Practical Steps to Test Our Motives - Pause and ask: Is this action driven by love for God and neighbor or by self-promotion? - Compare the plan with clear Scriptural commands; God’s will never contradicts His Word. - Seek godly counsel from believers who will speak truth, not flattery (Proverbs 27:6). - Look for the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, etc.—as indicators the Spirit is leading (Galatians 5:22-23). - Acknowledge dependence: verbally yield outcomes to the Lord (James 4:15). Living It Out Today - Begin each task, from daily chores to major decisions, by consciously dedicating it to Christ. - Keep short accounts with God: confess sin quickly so concealed guilt does not skew motives, as seen in Joseph’s brothers. - Maintain gratitude; thanking God for every opportunity guards against entitlement. - Measure success by faithfulness, not by visible results, trusting God to handle outcomes. - Revisit plans regularly with Scripture open, allowing the living Word to realign intentions whenever they drift. As Joseph’s brothers learned in Genesis 42, honest intentions must still pass God’s examination. By letting His Word, Spirit, and sovereign oversight shape every motive, believers can move forward confident that their actions truly reflect His will. |
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