Daily Devotional: Intentions
- David A. Case
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
By David A. Case
Life Sayings:
I am more blind to myself than I am to any other person.
It’s not about perfection but direction—fail forward.
If it don’t show up, I won’t grow up.
“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.”—Romans 7:15
We tend to believe we are who we intend to be. Our minds construct a version of ourselves that feels noble, spiritual, or at least improving. The problem is, intentions often deceive. Jesus tells the story of two sons—one who said "no" but obeyed, and one who said "yes" but didn’t follow through. Neither was who he thought he was. Their actions—not their self-perceptions—revealed the truth.
This is deeply humbling. It means I can say the right things, have the right theology, and even believe I’m aligned with God, but still be far from Him if my life doesn’t show it.
We all live in this tension. Paul describes the inner war between his new nature in Christ and the remnants of his sin nature. He wants to do good but finds himself doing what he hates. That tension doesn’t mean I’m lost—but it does mean I need to pay attention to which voice is winning. Growth in Christ means a steady direction of greater obedience. It means evaluating what actually comes out of me—not just what I intended.
We deceive ourselves easily. We might suppress an impulsive reaction because of social pressure, not spiritual maturity. We might act out “independence” just to resist influence, not because we’re living with integrity. It’s not about whether I appear strong or sincere. It’s about who’s truly in charge in my heart.
This is why Scripture says we become slaves to whatever we obey. The actions I repeat—the choices I make day by day—shape the destiny of my heart. Even good people sin. Even lost people do good. What matters is the lordship that governs me. Who is really in charge?
That’s why external feedback matters. I need trusted, godly people who can help me see what I cannot. The ego will always protect its version of “me.” But heart change comes when I submit to the truth—even when it contradicts my intentions.
Reflection Question
What do my recent actions—not my intentions—reveal about who is truly in charge of my heart?
Prayer
God, I confess how easily I cling to my intentions rather than my actual obedience. Show me where I’ve been deceived. Help me submit to Your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. I want You to be Lord over both my desires and my actions. Please bring people into my life who can speak truth with love and give me the humility to listen. Amen.
Today’s Step of Obedience
Ask one spiritually mature person to honestly reflect back what they see in your life. Give them permission to speak freely, and listen without defending yourself. Write down what they say and take time to pray over it.
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.
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