Intent is an anticipated or planned outcome or action. Our Heavenly Father’s will is His intent and it is the highest level of intent. His will as Creator cannot be changed by the created. His will has various levels contained within. To my current understanding, there are twelve levels of His will or intent. Lower levels are classified as revocable (or conditional) whereas the seven higher levels are irrevocable (or unconditional).
The next level of intent deals with the functionality of the universe. Everything was created by intent, there were no mistakes. It is amazing how man can view a sub-microcosm of the universe and develop a hypothesis only to sell it as reality. Man’s reasoning does not allow for the unexplained. He views 1% of reality and leaves out the 99% of the unseen. Great scientists were always looking for GOD’S great plan of the universe and were given revelation that ultimately became accepted and operational theories. You can attempt to redirect the intent of an animal or plant but your time and energy will be wasted. Our job is to embrace the intent of the universe and its contents which in turn will promote life.
Another aspect of intent is found within the community of mankind. The interaction of intent can become quite complex. Our Heavenly Father created laws to help us deal with the intent of mankind as it interacts. None of us can change the intent of another person. We can reveal and expose intent but it is up to each individual to change the intent of the heart. In the Old Testament, man’s intent to be destructive was met by death whereas in the New Testament his destructive intent was changed by “conversion”. The intent of the “old” man passed away and was replaced by the intent of the ‘new” man.
At a personal level, intent is what you have set in motion… the seeds you have planted. This intent is set into motion and will continue to fruition unless you take some action to change direction. Our intent grows into maturity just as a seed grows into a mature plant. When others such as your parents see a positive intent, displayed as a characteristic in you, they will often “water” the seed and encourage its growth. If the child is artistic, the parent will give art supplies as gifts at Christmas. Destructive intent is handled differently. The parent immediately begins a remedial process to discourage destructive behavior, its source being wrong intent. Those seeds must be plucked up and exposed so that they don’t produce death and destruction.
The Battle of the Doctrines
There has been much debate concerning the free will versus sovereignty issue. Serious Bible students will all agree that Our Heavenly Father is sovereign, after all, HE is the creator. The Creator has full and complete power over the created. No question! On the other hand, Scripture is full of conditional alternatives given to the created for a choice to be made. Why? The answer has to be “Love”. Love offers choice whereas sovereignty requires a predetermined outcome. If GOD is Love, then choice must be given to love or not to love. Without this choice, there would be no joy in the outcome. Every parent and grandparent understands the joy of choice by the child to desire fellowship with them. When the person “willingly” responds in love, there is no condition placed on the response. That falls into the category of agape Love, the highest level of Love.
Problems arise when a person’s intent conflicts with the three higher levels of intent mentioned above. Our Heavenly Father’s intent supports life and the living. If your intent is destructive, you can be assured that it will not be successful as it conflicts with Our Sovereign Heavenly Father’s intent. This is true with the intent of the functions of the universe. You may intend to fly when jumping off a building, but the intent of gravity will win out. Thirdly, when your intent conflicts with the community around you, strife and division result. Generally, nobody wins the battle at this level.
What’s the Answer?
To be successful, work with the intent at all levels. As you seek to understand Our Heavenly Father’s intent, simply align your intent with His. You can be assured His intent will be successful since He is sovereign over all things. Dwelling and meditating on His Word brings you closer to His intent. What is His intent? Love!
The universe is a big place, both the seen and the unseen. When Our Heavenly Father spoke to Job, He gave Job an idea of how big the universe is and that there is an overall balance to the universe that will be maintained. Job’s troubles were not at the center of the universe. As we open our eyes to how the universe is designed and how it operates, we would be wise to align our intent with the laws that keep the universe in balance.
Driving down the wrong side of the road does not make sense. However, people will attempt to “buck” the intent of the community and expect blessing. Wrong! Some people will use credit cards and over-extend themselves, then blame the credit card company for its actions. Irresponsible behavior does not support life and the living. Wrong intent will be met with resistance each and every time.
We must look inside our heart for those “seeds” of intent that cause us grief and destruction. When you think those evil thoughts, you must deal with them at their source. “To the pure, all things are pure” is a two-edged sword of personal analysis. Our outward actions are a result of our inward beliefs. “To the impure, all things are impure.” When we judge others, we reveal the intent within our own heart. When we attempt to control others, we reveal what’s in our heart. You know your thoughts. Only you can honestly review or analyze what is proceeding from your heart. Yes, you can put on an acceptable front for others and deceive people into thinking you are a saint. However, Our Heavenly Father knows what is going on inside your “Holy of Holies”. The Holy Spirit will convict you of your thoughts and intent. Love cleanses the heart of bad seed. As we purse Love, our intent begins to conform with the highest level of intent- The Love of GOD. When this happens, our intent conforms to HIS intent and the intent of the universe. The result is life, growth, and blessing. Revelation is only given to those whose intent aligns with the higher levels of intent. Why stay in the dark?