Monitor Good Intentions #CrownShine
Happy New Year, Kingdom Queens!
Because a great contribution to my increase in wisdom and understanding in 2014 came through the old writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I started a daily devotional for this year made up of his writings, ordered by theme. Today I want to share today’s nugget about good intentions.
What is the source of a good intention?
When I consider this question I think about all the times I said or heard others say, “I meant well.”
Bonhoeffer makes the point that those who live solely by “I mean well” or their good intentions actually have “a weak heart that fears all kinds of evils and sins and …arms itself with very human weapons in order to go against these powers” (2005, p. 3).
Wait. Please, read that again…slowly.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NASB
Further, he says,
Fear is the net that evil throws over us, so that we become entangled and soon fall. Those who are afraid have already fallen (p. 3).
“For what I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.” — Job 3:25 (Job speaking)
In other words, fear and anxiety overpower good intentions, making “I mean(t) well” of no effect. My suggestion is for us to take the power and influence out of our intentions. Let’s walk soberly and know ourselves (aka possess our vessels) in truth. Every attempt of the soul to lead the spirit eventually results in failure by works.
Let’s do better than mean well. Let’s be well in and through the finished work of Christ.
Reference: Bonhoeffer, D. (1906-1945). I want to live these days with you: A year of daily devotions. (O. C. Dean, Jr., Trans.). London, England: Westminster John Knox Press.
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