In the biblical context, intentions refer to the motives or purposes behind one's actions, thoughts, or words. The Bible places significant emphasis on the heart's intentions, often highlighting that God values the inner motives as much as, if not more than, the outward actions.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament frequently addresses the concept of intentions, particularly in the context of obedience to God's commandments. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This passage underscores the importance of inner intentions over external appearances.

Proverbs 16:2 states, "All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed by the LORD." This verse highlights the divine scrutiny of human intentions, suggesting that while individuals may justify their actions, God discerns the true motives behind them.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addresses the issue of intentions, particularly in His teachings on righteousness and hypocrisy. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the importance of pure intentions in acts of worship and charity. Matthew 6:1 warns, "Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Here, Jesus teaches that the intention behind righteous acts should be to honor God, not to gain human approval.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the matter of intentions in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 4:5, he writes, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." Paul emphasizes that God will ultimately reveal and judge the true intentions of every heart.

Intentions and the Law

The Bible also addresses intentions in the context of the Law. In the Mosaic Law, certain provisions take into account the intentions behind actions. For example, in cases of unintentional sin, the Law provides specific sacrifices for atonement (Leviticus 4:2-3). This distinction between intentional and unintentional actions highlights the importance of motives in the eyes of God.

Spiritual Implications

The Bible teaches that intentions are a reflection of the heart's condition. In Jeremiah 17:9-10, it is written, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind, to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve." This passage suggests that while human hearts can be deceitful, God alone fully understands and judges the true intentions.

Believers are encouraged to cultivate pure intentions through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. In Philippians 2:13, Paul writes, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." This indicates that God empowers believers to align their intentions with His will.

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are called to examine their intentions regularly, ensuring that their motives align with God's will and purposes. Prayer and reflection on Scripture are vital tools for discerning and purifying one's intentions. As believers seek to live lives that honor God, they are reminded of the importance of sincerity and integrity in all their actions and decisions.721. arnion -- lamb.
... 721 (the of 704 , "a sheep") -- properly, a young lamb, "a little lamb" (J.
Thayer); (figuratively) a person with(), () intentions. lamb. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/721.htm - 6k

1771. ennoia -- thinking, thoughtfulness, ie moral understanding
... Word Origin from en and nous Definition thinking, thoughtfulness, ie moral
understanding NASB Word Usage intentions (1), purpose (1). intent, mind. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1771.htm - 7k

172. akakos -- guileless
... 172 (an adjective, derived from 1 "not" and 2556 , "malignant") -- properly, harmful,
describing someone innocent, down to their very intentions (motives), ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/172.htm - 7k

3336. yetser -- a form, framing, purpose
... Word Origin from yatsar Definition a form, framing, purpose NASB Word Usage formed
(1), frame (1), handiwork (1), intent (4), intentions* (1), mind (1), what (1 ...
/hebrew/3336.htm - 6k

4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... Word Origin from chashab Definition thought, device NASB Word Usage design (1),
designs (3), devised (1), intentions* (1), invented (1), inventive (1), plan (2 ...
/hebrew/4284.htm - 6k

Whether the Interior Senses are Suitably Distinguished?
... Therefore much less should we assign to the sensitive part a power, which they call
the "estimative" power, for the perception of intentions which the sense ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the interior senses are.htm

Foundation of Moral Obligation.
... That moral action is voluntary action. That properly speaking, obligation respects
intentions only. ... 3. Intentions alone are, properly, moral actions. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture iv foundation of moral.htm

Foundation of Moral Obligation.
... But what does this assertion mean? It is generally held by this school, that right,
in a moral sense, pertains primarily and strictly to intentions only. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture v foundation of moral.htm

Election.
... He made provision to secure those that are good, that is, the holy intentions of
moral agents, and to overrule for good those that are evil, that is, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xliii election.htm

My Brother Eusebius Writes to Me That, when He was at a Meeting of ...
... It is well that ill will has not a strength equal to its intentions. ... It is well
that ill will has not a strength equal to its intentions. ...
/.../24 my brother eusebius writes.htm

Letter v. --Distractions in Prayer.
... Does not God see all your intentions, even the most secret, without having them
explained to Him by what are called formal and express acts? ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter v distractions in prayer.htm

The Problem of Lying
... If we do not consider the things spoken of, but only the intentions of the one speaking,
he is the better man who unknowingly speaks falsely"because he ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter vi the problem of.htm

Motives Inducing to Religion to be Examined...
... good can come to them by it so unworthily undertaken; but rather hope that by a
special providence of God they were, even against their own intentions and wills ...
/.../chapter iv motives inducing to.htm

Cestius Sends Neopolitanus the Tribune to See in what Condition ...
... Were. Agrippa Makes A Speech To The People Of The Jews That He May Divert
Them From Their Intentions Of Making War With The Romans. ...
/.../chapter 16 cestius sends neopolitanus.htm

How we are to Reduce all the Exercise of the virtues, and all Our ...
... So that, as you see, we have power to give different perfections to our actions,
according to the variety of motives, ends and intentions which we have in ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii how we are.htm

Intentions (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Intentions (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 8:10
But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this ...
/i/intentions.htm - 7k

Malignant (5 Occurrences)
... tumor. 2. (a.) Characterized or caused by evil intentions; pernicious. 3 ... diphtheria.
4. (n.) A man of extreme enmity or evil intentions. 5 ...
/m/malignant.htm - 8k

Moral (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Relating to duty or obligation; pertaining to those intentions and actions
of which right and wrong, virtue and vice, are predicated, or to the rules ...
/m/moral.htm - 9k

Intently (16 Occurrences)

/i/intently.htm - 10k

Nabal (18 Occurrences)
... a woman of wonderful sagacity and prudence as well as of great beauty, having learned
of her husband's conduct and of David's intentions, hurriedly proceeded ...
/n/nabal.htm - 16k

Operations (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:10 But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this helps
forward your own intentions, seeing that not only have you begun operations ...
/o/operations.htm - 7k

Jehonadab (2 Occurrences)
... assassinated, Jehonadab assured him that only Amnon was killed; and his reassuring
tone is justified (2 Samuel 13:35); possibly he knew of Absalom's intentions...
/j/jehonadab.htm - 11k

Joints (7 Occurrences)
... any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both
joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the ...
/j/joints.htm - 9k

Invade (15 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To enter with hostile intentions; to enter with a view to conquest or plunder;
to make an irruption into; to attack; as, the Romans invaded Great ...
/i/invade.htm - 11k

Intentionally (2 Occurrences)

/i/intentionally.htm - 7k

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