Intent: Having the mind or attention firmly directed or fixed; an act of purpose, will or determination.
How important is intent?
I remember times when my children would err and their immediate retort would include “I didn’t mean to”. They understood at a very early age how important it was that I knew that they didn’t do it on purpose. I had an employee once tell me I was lying, and I had to explain the difference between lying and being mistaken. I may have been wrong, but I certainly wasn’t lying because I believed I was correct.
In Matthew 23:23-36 Jesus addresses the matter of intent with the Pharisees; they were concerned only about outward appearances toward other men. They omitted fairness, mercy and love. Intent was very important to Jesus.
The scriptures tell us to surrender all our opinions, preferences and beliefs to the law of love. The law of love fulfills all other laws. Romans 13:10, “…..therefore love is the fulfilling of the law”. Galatians 5:14, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” James 2:8, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:”
When we critique others for their lifestyle, diet, dress, hair or other personal preferences, we need to be careful of our intent. For when our opinions and preferences become more important to us than what God says is important to Him, we make idols of our own beliefs. When trying to influence others, the greatest force on earth is love.
How important is intent?
I remember times when my children would err and their immediate retort would include “I didn’t mean to”. They understood at a very early age how important it was that I knew that they didn’t do it on purpose. I had an employee once tell me I was lying, and I had to explain the difference between lying and being mistaken. I may have been wrong, but I certainly wasn’t lying because I believed I was correct.
In Matthew 23:23-36 Jesus addresses the matter of intent with the Pharisees; they were concerned only about outward appearances toward other men. They omitted fairness, mercy and love. Intent was very important to Jesus.
The scriptures tell us to surrender all our opinions, preferences and beliefs to the law of love. The law of love fulfills all other laws. Romans 13:10, “…..therefore love is the fulfilling of the law”. Galatians 5:14, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” James 2:8, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:”
When we critique others for their lifestyle, diet, dress, hair or other personal preferences, we need to be careful of our intent. For when our opinions and preferences become more important to us than what God says is important to Him, we make idols of our own beliefs. When trying to influence others, the greatest force on earth is love.
