One of the most popular dating questions to ask in the beginning of a relationship now is “What are your intentions?”.

I remember the first time I heard this suggestion back in 2011.

At the time, I was reading what I once called our nation’s dating guidebook for women, “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man.”

The thing that excites me most about this question is how casually upfront it is!

Think about it 🤔

If asked, the person who’s listening to the response will gain insight on the person who’s trying to pursue them.

Meaning in a matter of minutes the pursuer will share their true intentions while giving the other person the opportunity to end or move forward with the relationship.

There are times in our spiritual journeys where a desire will approach us in our hearts.

Often, we question the desire’s purpose causing us to wonder, “Is this from God?”.

Today, I would like to share with you a simple way to tell.

In my spiritual journey, I’ve learned there are righteous desires (desires to build the kingdom of God) and there are selfish desires (desires to only gain self pleasures and eventually hurt us or others).

Don’t believe me?

Let’s first take a look in Philippians 2:13!

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Then, we can go on over to James 1:14 where the Bible states,

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

The sad truth is I can admit there were times in my life where I chose to stay paralyzed to righteous desires.

Instead, I would go after selfish desires believing God would bless me because I made sure to do good here and there while involved in the desire.

Yet, I always ended up hurt or hurting others for the simple reason I wasn’t ever suppose to be involved in the pursuit!

What I found out is similar to dating:

It’s so important to seek God’s wisdom first on the intent of a desire before removing it from our hearts or moving forward with the pursuit.

You see, similar to the dating question above I believe the same question can be applied to the very desires that come inside of our hearts.

I believe whenever a desire forms in our hearts instead of being stagnant or carelessly making moves we should ask,

“What is the intent of this desire?”

Taking our desires to God first will help us to discern purposeful moves vs. selfish ambitions.

Usually, when I get on the platform to write, I first do two things: I pray and I research.

I choose to do this for every post because my desire is for God to lead me in the words that are being shared, not my limited opinions.

In the midst of researching, I came across wise words from Paul that he shared with Timothy on pursuing righteousness.

And, I would like to share them with you:

But you, Timothy are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11

Like Paul shared to Timothy, I’m going to say to you!

You are a man/woman of God; so run from all selfish desires. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

You get the idea, Honey Bunches!

In all you do, in every opportunity that comes your way, in any desire to come inside your heart, seek God first and He will reveal the right path to take. 😉

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Purpose Nuggets! 

It’s so important to seek wisdom first on the intent of a desire before removing it from our hearts or moving forward with the pursuit.

Taking our desires to God first will help us to discern purposeful moves vs. selfish ambitions.

Writer: BG

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