Intentions (Proverbs 16:2)

There are times when the paths that we take seem to be of the best intentions. But the Lord knows better.

"All the ways of man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits - the thoughts and intents of the heart." Proverbs 16:2, Amplified

Even at our best, we are still at our worst. The vision that we possess is different than that of the Lord. He sees deeper than man could ever imagine to see. This is a difficult verse to interpret this morning, for I feel that there are times when I know that my ways are not pure. There are times when I have done "good" things for ulterior motives. I remember immersing myself into church and going to every service I could not because I desired to get closer to the Lord, but because I wanted to spend more time with the pastor's daughter. There can be no pureness in action when the action is self serving.

So what is this verse speaking of? This is speaking of our view of mankind in general. There is no way that we can know the heart of other men. We see men serving in the church, or at the local homeless shelter how are we to judge the intent? We cannot. What we may see as pure, the Lord knows better than us. As Samuel went looking for the next king of Israel to replace Saul, he was looking at the outward appearance of the person. "But the Lord spoke to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" (First Samuel 16:17, NKJV) Does this mean that we need to pray the Lord show us who is real and who is not? No. This means that we continue serving the Lord. Keep our focus on our own walk, on our own lives and not worry about the true intent of others. "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30, NKJV)