Our intentions shape our actions, and the Bible encourages us to have pure motives. Today, we’ll explore verses that remind us to act with honesty and love, aligning our intentions with God’s teachings.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Ordination
Bible Verses About Intentions
Proverbs 16:2
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.”
This verse reminds us that our intentions may seem pure to us, but ultimately, it is the Lord who examines our hearts and weighs our motives. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s guidance and evaluating our true intentions before taking action.
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.””
God looks beyond the external appearance and focuses on the intentions of our hearts. This verse teaches us that genuine intentions and a pure heart are more valuable to God than outward appearances or worldly achievements.
Proverbs 21:2
“A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.””
Our own understanding may lead us to believe that our intentions are right, but it is ultimately God who examines our hearts. We should seek His guidance and surrender our intentions to His will, acknowledging that He knows what is best for us.
Jeremiah 17:10
“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.””
God intimately knows our hearts and examines our intentions. He rewards us based on our conduct and the true intentions behind our actions. This verse reminds us of the importance of aligning our intentions with God’s will and seeking to honor Him in all that we do.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.””
Having pure intentions and a sincere heart allows us to have a deeper relationship with God. This verse encourages us to examine our motives and ensure that our intentions are aligned with God’s righteousness in order to experience His presence and blessings in our lives.
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.””
By surrendering our intentions and plans to the Lord, we allow Him to guide our steps and establish a solid foundation for our endeavors. This verse reminds us of the importance of seeking God’s will and trusting Him to direct our paths.
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.””
This prayer of David demonstrates the importance of inviting God to examine our hearts and intentions. It reminds us to humbly ask God to reveal any impure motives or offensive ways within us so that He may lead us on the path of righteousness.
Matthew 6:1
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.””
Our intentions should not be driven by a desire for recognition or approval from others. Instead, this verse encourages us to act with sincerity and humility, seeking the approval and reward that comes from our Heavenly Father.
1 Corinthians 4:5
“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 the heart. At that time, each will receive their praise from God.””
As human beings, we are not called to judge the intentions of others. This verse reminds us that it is God who ultimately knows and exposes the motives of the heart. Our focus should be on living according to His standards and trusting Him to reveal and reward genuine intentions.
Romans 12:9
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.””
True love is characterized by sincerity. This verse encourages us to have genuine intentions and to pursue what is good while detesting evil. When our intentions are rooted in sincere love, our actions align with God’s will.
Proverbs 16:9
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.””
Although we may make plans based on our intentions, ultimately, it is God who determines the outcome. This verse reminds us to submit our intentions and plans to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and trusting Him to direct our paths.
James 4:13-15
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
This passage reminds us that our intentions and plans should always be subject to the will of God. It humbles us and acknowledges that our lives are in His hands, and we must seek His guidance and align our intentions with His purpose.
Psalm 19:14
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer.””
This verse is a prayer for our intentions to be pleasing to God. It recognizes that both our words and the thoughts of our hearts need to align with His desires. It is a reminder to continuously surrender our intentions to God and seek His approval in all that we do.
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.””
God’s Word has the power to penetrate deep into our hearts and reveal the true intentions behind our thoughts and actions. This verse highlights the importance of aligning our intentions with the truths found in Scripture and allowing God’s Word to guide and transform us.
Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.””
Our intentions are born in our hearts and influence our actions. This verse emphasizes the need to protect our hearts from impure motives and to cultivate intentions that align with God’s truth, as everything we do flows from the condition of our hearts.
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.””
This verse is a prayer for God to cleanse our hearts from impure intentions and to renew within us a steadfast and righteous spirit. It acknowledges our need for God’s transformative work in our hearts to align our intentions with His perfect will.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.””
This verse reminds us that our intentions should always be focused on bringing glory to God. It encourages us to evaluate our motives in every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our intentions are in line with honoring and magnifying God.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.””
When our intentions are centered on seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness, He promises to provide for our needs. This verse encourages us to prioritize our intentions and align them with God’s purposes, trusting that He will take care of our every need.
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.””
Our intentions should be focused on serving the Lord wholeheartedly in all that we do. This verse reminds us that our ultimate reward comes from God and encourages us to align our intentions with the knowledge that we are serving Christ in every aspect of our lives.
Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.””
When our intentions are rooted in delighting in the Lord, He aligns our desires with His will. This verse encourages us to seek intimacy with God, knowing that as we delight in Him, He will shape our intentions and grant us the desires that align with His purposes.
Proverbs 16:20
“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.””
When our intentions are guided by a willingness to receive and follow God’s instruction, we experience blessings and prosperity. This verse highlights the importance of trusting in the Lord and allowing His guidance to shape our intentions and actions.
Psalm 26:2
“Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;”
This verse is a plea for God to test and examine the intentions of our hearts and minds. It reflects a desire for God’s refining work, recognizing the need for His purification and guidance in aligning our intentions with His perfect will.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.””
This verse encourages us to trust in the Lord completely and lean on His understanding rather than relying on our own. It emphasizes the importance of submitting our intentions to God and allowing Him to direct our paths, knowing that He will lead us in the right direction.
Psalm 19:7
“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.””
This verse highlights the transformative power of God’s Word, which shapes our intentions and makes us wise. It reminds us that aligning our intentions with God’s statutes and teachings brings refreshing and wisdom to our souls.
Proverbs 16:6
“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided.””
When our intentions are rooted in love, faithfulness, and a healthy fear of the Lord, we are more likely to avoid evil and sin. This verse encourages us to prioritize these qualities in our intentions, knowing that they lead to righteousness and a life pleasing to God.