In the biblical context, intentions refer to the motivations and purposes behind an individual's thoughts, words, and actions. According to Proverbs 16:2, "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord," highlighting the importance of God's evaluation of one's intentions. The Bible teaches that God is concerned with the intentions of the heart, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7, where it is written, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Ultimately, the Bible encourages believers to have pure intentions, as expressed in Psalms 51:10, where David prays for a "clean heart" and a "right spirit," demonstrating the significance of intentions in the Christian faith.
Charles Finney emphasizes that a person's moral character is defined by their ultimate intention rather than their actions or subordinate intentions. He explains the distinction between intention and volition, asserting that true moral character lies in the supreme intention of the mind, which shoul
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that God's character is infinitely holy and serves as the foundation of moral excellence in the universe. He argues that just as the excellence of steel is strength, the excellence of humanity lies in moral character, which is essential for trust and relationships. Tozer highli
Charles Finney emphasizes that moral character is either wholly right or wholly wrong, arguing that it cannot be a mixture of both. He explains that true holiness is defined by the ultimate intention of the mind to promote the glory of God and the good of others, while sin is the choice of self-grat
Charles Finney addresses the concept of natural ability and moral character, arguing against the false distinction between natural and moral ability. He emphasizes that moral inability stems from a lack of sufficient light to recognize the greatest apparent good, which is essential for moral obligat
Charles Finney addresses the concept of moral and natural ability in relation to sanctification, emphasizing that true holiness is rooted in the supreme intention to promote God's glory and the good of all. He critiques the inconsistencies in the definitions of entire sanctification, arguing that mo