Wholly His: Becoming a Woman of Integrity & Valor | Week 4- Planned Intentions
PREP & PONDER (Before Study Session)
Before you dive into this week’s study, take a few moments to reflect on the following:
What’s something I’ve been planning to do for God—but haven’t started?
Are there any spiritual goals I’ve been delaying out of fear or perfectionism?
How do I usually respond when I feel God prompting me to act?
Do I equate planning with obedience? Why or why not?
What do I believe God is calling me to move forward in?
THEME: PLANNED INTENTIONS
Not everything we intend to do actually happens—but everything we do begins with an intention. Intentions are the blueprint of our behavior, the “why” we carry before we act. But not all intentions are godly. Some are self-serving. Some are fear-driven. And others are simply unexamined. This theme challenges us to slow down and look beneath our planning, our priorities, and even our procrastination. Are our intentions aligned with God’s will—or our own agenda? Are they rooted in obedience, or coated in excuses? God isn’t impressed by a good plan that never becomes obedience. He wants surrendered intentions—ones that move us from intention to action, from desire to devotion, and from partial obedience to full surrender.
WEEKLY FOCUS
What do I plan to do—and why?
Intentions are powerful—but they’re not proof of obedience. This week challenges us to take inventory of the things we say we’ll do for God… but haven’t. Not to guilt-trip ourselves, but to allow the Holy Spirit to lovingly confront the gap between our intentions and our obedience. It’s easy to get stuck in cycles of “I’ll do it later,” or to confuse spiritual planning with spiritual maturity. But partial surrender isn’t full obedience—and hesitation, even with good intentions, can still be disobedience in disguise. God isn’t calling us to hustle. He’s calling us to faith in motion. So instead of asking, “What do I want to do for God?”
Ask:
“What has God already asked me to do?”
“What’s stopping me?”
“Am I waiting on a perfect plan—or am I willing to move forward in faith?”
Because in the Kingdom, obedience is better than good intentions. And breakthrough comes not when we plan—but when we act in surrender.
KEY SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 16:1–3 (ESV)
"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
KEYWORD STUDY
“Intentions”
Proverbs 16:1–3 (conceptual) – “The plans of the heart belong to man…”
• Hebrew Root Word: מַחֲשָׁבָה (machashabah)
• Strong’s Concordance: H4284
• Also tied to: לֵב (leb) – the heart, inner reasoning (H3820)
Definition:
– Thought, plan, purpose, device
– Mental framework or imagined intention, for good or evil
Biblical Insight:
Intentions are where faith either becomes obedience—or gets buried in delay. The Bible shows us that God not only sees our ideas and strategies but the heart driving them. Even good plans can be rooted in fear, pride, or control if not surrendered to Him.
• Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans (machashabah) I have for you…”
• Hebrews 4:12 – “...it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
“Plan”
Proverbs 19:21 (conceptual) – “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose prevails.”
• Hebrew Root Word: עֵצָה (etsah)
• Strong’s Concordance: H6098
Definition:
– Counsel, purpose, strategic advice
– Reflects thoughtful intention or direction, especially in decision-making
Biblical Insight:
Planning isn’t wrong—but when it’s self-reliant or resistant to God’s leading, it becomes a barrier to obedience. God invites us to submit our counsel to His, because only His purposes stand.
• Proverbs 21:30 – “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.”
• Isaiah 46:10 – “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”
“Heart”
Proverbs 16:2 (conceptual) “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.”
• Hebrew Root Word: לֵב (leb)
• Strong’s Concordance: H3820
Definition:
– Inner man, will, conscience, and moral character
– The seat of decision-making, emotions, and spiritual direction
Biblical Insight:
The heart isn’t just emotional—it’s the control center of our life. Intentions are born here. Scripture repeatedly warns that the heart can be deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9), which is why God insists on weighing it rather than trusting what looks pure to man.
• 1 Samuel 16:7 – “...the Lord looks at the heart.”
• Psalm 26:2 – “Test me, Lord... examine my heart and my mind.”
“Will”
Matthew 6:10 (conceptual) – “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
• Greek Root Word: θέλημα (thelēma)
• Strong’s Concordance: G2307
Definition:
– Desire, decree, purpose, what one wishes to be done
– Used of both divine and human volition
Biblical Insight:
Will is the force that moves intention into action. The tension between our will and God’s will is at the center of spiritual transformation. Surrendering our will is not about losing control—it’s about choosing divine alignment.
• Romans 12:2 – “...that you may discern what is the will of God...”
• John 6:38 – “I have come... not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.”
SPIRIT-LED REFLECTION
We all have plans. To do better. To be better. To start again next week. But let’s be honest: intentions—no matter how sincere—aren’t obedience. They’re possibilities, not follow-through. And in the Kingdom of God, it’s not what you plan that bears fruit—it’s what you obey. You can have a notebook full of spiritual goals, vision boards of “one day,” and promises whispered in prayer… and still not be walking in God’s will. Why? Because intentions that never become action are just sanctified delays. Jesus addressed this in Matthew 21:28–31, in the parable of the two sons. One said he wouldn’t obey but ended up doing it. The other said he would—but never followed through. Only one honored the Father—and it wasn’t the one who meant well. We live in a world that glorifies planning and applauds potential. But heaven isn’t moved by how well you mean—it responds to faith that moves. Your calendar isn’t proof of surrender. Your schedule isn’t the same as obedience.
Sometimes we don’t follow through because we’re afraid. Afraid of failure. Of letting people down. Of not doing it “perfectly.” Other times it’s because we’re distracted, overwhelmed, or addicted to the dopamine hit of starting something new but never finishing. And sometimes? It’s pride—disguised as procrastination. “I’ll obey when I’m ready.” “I’ll start once it makes more sense.” “I’m just waiting on a confirmation…” But God sees through the delay. He sees when planning becomes stalling. He sees when strategy becomes self-protection. And He’s not asking for perfect performance—He’s asking for surrendered momentum. So what if you stopped measuring your obedience by what you hope to do… and started moving in what you already know God told you?
You don’t need a 5-year plan to obey today.
You don’t need to “feel ready” to walk in faith.
You just need a heart that says, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
When your intentions are aligned with obedience, God establishes your steps (Proverbs 16:3). Not because your plan is flawless—but because your heart is faithful.
WEEKLY TEACHING POINTS
1. Good Intentions Aren’t Obedience
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” – James 4:17
Intentions can feel spiritual—especially when they’re aimed at good things. But without action, they become a silent form of disobedience. We often delay obedience under the guise of “waiting on confirmation” or “needing clarity,” but James reminds us: if we already know the right thing and choose not to act, that’s sin—not strategy. God isn’t just concerned with what we plan to do—He’s after faithful follow-through.
2. God Sees the Motive Behind the Plan
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” – Proverbs 21:2
To others, our plans may look wise, ambitious, or even godly. But God sees beneath the surface. He doesn’t measure our strategy by its potential—He evaluates the motive behind it. Are we planning from a place of surrender, or control? Fear or faith? Pride or purpose? True obedience begins not with a plan, but with purity of heart.
3. Partial Obedience Is Still Rebellion
“To obey is better than sacrifice… rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.” – 1 Samuel 15:22–23
Saul obeyed God halfway—and justified it with religious reasoning. But God wasn’t interested in Saul’s sacrifice. He wanted submission. Partial obedience often looks spiritual on the outside, but it reveals pride on the inside. When we pick and choose what to obey, we place ourselves above God’s authority. True obedience doesn’t negotiate terms—it surrenders all.
4. The Spirit Empowers What the Flesh Procrastinates
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
The flesh is a master of delay. It whispers lies like “not yet,” “you’re not ready,” or “maybe later.” But the Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome procrastination rooted in fear, laziness, or perfectionism. He doesn’t just convict us of what’s right—He enables us to do it. If we want to move from intention to action, we must lean on the Spirit, not our own strength.
5. Surrendered Plans Bear Kingdom Fruit
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
God is not anti-planning—He’s anti-pride. When our plans are surrendered to Him, they become vessels of divine purpose. Planning becomes powerful when it’s submitted, prayed through, and fueled by faith. This is where spiritual fruit grows—not from perfection, but from surrendered obedience. Letting go of control opens the door to divine establishment.
MODERN APPLICATION
It’s easy to confuse spiritual planning with spiritual progress.
We tell ourselves, “I’m working on it,” or “It’s in the plan,” but those phrases often become cover stories for delay. A full planner doesn’t equal a faithful life. Writing “quiet time” in your schedule isn’t the same as actually sitting with God. Mapping out how you’ll serve or heal or grow means little if you never take the first step.
We often delay obedience because:
We want to feel more ready.
We’re afraid of doing it wrong.
We’re waiting for the perfect conditions.
But God isn’t looking for perfection. He’s looking for movement. He honors the surrendered heart that says, “I’ll obey—even if I’m still shaking.”
So this week, instead of refining your plan, start responding to God.
Ask yourself:
“Am I waiting on the right moment—or avoiding discomfort?”
“Is fear or pride hiding behind my delay?”
“Have I confused my intentions with obedience?”
Don’t let fear, procrastination, or the idol of preparation keep you from what God is calling you to do. He’s not asking for flawless execution—He’s asking for a faithful ‘yes.’
Let today be the day you move. Not perfectly. Just faithfully.
SPIRITUAL WARFARE TRUTH
The enemy doesn’t always try to destroy your calling—sometimes he just delays it into oblivion. He knows he can’t cancel God’s purpose for your life, so instead he whispers:
“You’re not ready.”
“Just wait a little longer.”
“Once things calm down…”
“What if you mess it up?”
These lies don’t sound like rebellion—they sound like wisdom. But they’re fear dressed up as logic. And when you agree with them, delay becomes disobedience. Procrastination is often spiritual warfare in disguise. It’s the slow bleed of your purpose—death by hesitation.
Remember:
Fear is not from God. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Delay is not neutral—it’s a tactic.
Obedience is not optional—it’s warfare.
When you say yes to God despite the doubt, discomfort, or lack of clarity, you break agreement with fear and step into authority. This week, silence the whisper of “later” with a louder declaration of “Yes, Lord.” Choose surrender over strategy. Obedience over perfection. Faith over fear.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When have you had good intentions but failed to act—and why?
What’s one area God is calling you to obey in this week?
How does fear, pride, or comfort impact your planning?
What spiritual-sounding excuses do you use to delay action?
Who can hold you accountable to follow through?
INSIGHT FOR WEEK 4
Your intention is your aim—but obedience is the arrow. Intentions point in the right direction, but only action hits the mark. God isn’t impressed by spiritual potential—He’s looking for spiritual perseverance. He’s not asking, “What’s your plan?” He’s asking, “Will you follow through?”
Every act of obedience—no matter how small—moves you closer to alignment with His will. So stop measuring faithfulness by how much you want to do.
Start measuring it by how much you’re willing to surrender and step into.
Say yes—even if it’s messy.
Say yes—even if you feel late.
Say yes—and let Him establish what you lay down in faith.
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 16:1–3 – Shows the contrast between human planning and divine establishment. God aligns what we commit to Him.
Matthew 21:28–31 – A parable that reveals the difference between lip service and real obedience. God honors action over agreement.
James 4:17 – A direct challenge: knowing the right thing and not doing it is sin. Intentions are not a spiritual loophole.
1 Samuel 15:22–23 – Saul’s story illustrates how partial obedience and religious excuses are rejected by God.
Galatians 5:16–17 – A reminder that obedience isn’t willpower—it’s Spirit-powered. The flesh procrastinates, but the Spirit moves.
Use these Scriptures as a mirror this week. Let them confront hesitation, challenge delay, and call you deeper into surrender. Let the Word lead you from planning into purpose.
WEEK 4 DEEPER DIVE- PLANNED INTENTIONS
Theme 2: Intentions
TOPIC SUMMARY
Intentions alone don’t transform lives—obedience does. You can plan for spiritual growth, schedule time with God, or promise to make a change… but unless your intention becomes action, it remains a good idea with no fruit. This week explores how often we stall behind the safety of spiritual planning. It challenges us to stop waiting for perfection and start walking in surrender. God doesn’t require flawless execution—He desires faithful follow-through.
KEY SCRIPTURE
James 4:17 (ESV)
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What spiritual intentions have I made but not followed through on?
Am I planning out of faith or procrastinating out of fear?
What do I tell myself when I delay action?
How does perfectionism keep me from obedience?
Am I more attached to control than to surrender?
Where have I overcomplicated what God simply asked me to do?
What would it look like to obey God in one small area this week?
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
1. Obedience Audit
Look at your current goals or spiritual “to-do” list. Which ones have been sitting there without action? Circle one and commit to taking the next step—today.
2. Move One Step
Don’t wait until it’s perfect. Take a single action toward obedience. One step is better than a thousand intentions.
3. Discern the Delay
Ask the Holy Spirit:
“Is this delay wise or flesh-based?”
“Is fear influencing this pause?”
“Am I overplanning instead of trusting?”
4. Truth Over Excuses
Write out one excuse you’ve been making and match it with Scripture truth. (Example: “I’m not ready” → Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.)
5. Let your prayer be:
“Lord, help me obey without delay. I surrender my plans, my timeline, and my excuses to You.”
JOURNAL PROMPT
Write a prayer asking God to expose any areas where you’ve confused spiritual intentions with spiritual obedience. Invite Him to help you act, not just plan. Ask Him to establish your steps—not just your strategy.
As the week unfolds, write down moments when you could have obeyed but hesitated—and what stopped you. Let this awareness grow into transformation.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS
Use these verses throughout the week to realign your will with God’s Word and break the habit of spiritual procrastination.
Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Matthew 21:28–31 – “Which of the two did the will of his father?”
James 4:17 – “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it…”
1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice…”
Psalm 119:60 – “I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.”
Meditate on one verse each day. Let these Scriptures shape your actions, not just your intentions.
DEVOTIONAL 4: WHEN GOOD INTENTIONS FALL SHORT
WEEK 4 THEME SUMMARY: MOTIVES BEHIND INTENTIONS
Intentions sound spiritual.
“I’m planning to pray more.”
“I meant to reach out.”
“I really want to start obeying in this area…”
But spiritual maturity isn’t measured by what we plan—it’s measured by what we practice.
This week, we’re learning to examine the gap between what we intend to do and what we actually do. That gap often reveals more than we realize. God doesn’t weigh our promises—He weighs our steps. And He’s calling us to trade in hesitation for holy action.
KEY SCRIPTURE
James 4:17 (ESV)
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
DEVOTIONAL REFLECTION
You can have a heart full of spiritual dreams—and still miss God’s will. The truth is, good intentions are easy. They sound noble. They feel spiritual. But unless they translate into obedience, they fall flat. Jesus tells a story in Matthew 21:28–31 about two sons. One told his father he wouldn’t help—but changed his mind and did. The other promised to help—but never followed through. The one who actually did the work is the one Jesus commended. That same contrast lives in us. We tell God, “I want to obey,” but delay out of fear. We commit to changing—but keep waiting for the right time. We plan and plan—and never move. Here’s the hard truth:
Planning to obey is not the same as obeying. So what’s stopping you?
Fear of failure?
Pride that wants it to be perfect?
Laziness masked as “not yet”?
God isn’t grading your spiritual planner. He’s looking for a faithful yes. Because the enemy doesn’t need to get you to rebel. He just needs you to stall. But grace says: Today is the day of obedience. No more delay. No more excuses. Just a surrendered heart and a simple next step.
WEEKLY ACTION STEP
Pick one thing you’ve been intending to do spiritually—something God’s already put on your heart.
Is it forgiving someone?
Starting a consistent prayer habit?
Serving in a specific way?
Confessing something you’ve been holding back?
Whatever it is—do it this week. Even if it’s awkward. Even if it’s small. God honors action rooted in surrender. Then ask yourself: “What’s been holding me back?”
Write it down. Pray through it. Let the Holy Spirit transform your delay into movement. Because when intention becomes obedience, heaven moves…
REFLECT & RESPOND (After Study Session)
Where in your life have intentions replaced obedience?
What has God asked you to do that you’ve been putting off?
Write out one surrendered step you’ll take this week—and invite God to lead it.
