For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
God knows our hearts.
Are we aware of our intentions?
It is good to test them against the word of God.
Read His word and pray that He show you the intents of your heart.
You might be surprised.
I have been surprised on many occasions.
I have then decided against doing what I was first going to do or say
because God revealed to me my intentions.
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins,
even to give every man according to his ways,
and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:9-10
Sometimes, my intentions have been a jab or vengeance on my part.
Other times, I might have wanted another human to agree with me,
perhaps to pity me or even dislike the subject, the person.
When you search for the truth, you will find the truth.
God will show it to you in all of its reality, all the good and all the bad,
whatever it may contain.
I have had to step back or not do what I was intending to do or say
so that I could be right before the Lord.
There have been times when I did it anyway, against the counsel of the Lord.
That is never good to disobey the Lord.
He is forgiving, yes, but sometimes the consequences were not beneficial.
So, as we walk with Jesus, He will teach us more how to listen to Him.
How to walk in forgiveness and how to walk in love.
He will teach us, if we are open.
He will tell us the truth, if we are searching for it.
If we desire to honor Him, He will teach us how to measure our intentions
against the word of God.
That is always an interesting and awe-inspiring moment,
when the light goes on, when Jesus shows us what is in our heart.
Then hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling place,
and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways,
whose heart Thou knowest;
(for Thou, even Thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)
1 Kings 8:39
Listen closely to Jesus for He has much to teach each of us.