[XarokLasa]

Alexis originally posted:-

>> " ... this is the meaning of the phrase: the road to hell is paved with good intentions." <<

Hi there Alexis,

First, as stated in my reply to Fr. Raphael, the intentions of the "natural" man are never good, according to Scripture. Secondly, intentions which are pure and born of the spirit of Christ are never duplicitous in nature, but simple or single-minded in their termination upon Christ's glory, and the soul's perfect union with Him. Third, the famous Scripture text for "good intentions" is, of course, Romans 7:14-23, wherein we are taught of the interior conflict that we experience, between the spirit and the flesh. That the flesh lusts against the spirit does not negate the fact that the spirit, or inward man of the heart, delights in the law of God, according to Rom. 7:22. Fourth, the most important aspect of any act is its "intention". The true nature of outwardly "virtuous" acts, even those performed under "right" circumstances, is determined by a man's true "intention(s)". That is to say, if a man's intention is duplicitous, after the manner of the Pharisees, then his action is evil, despite all "virtuous" appearances. Such was the public prayer of the Pharisees, which appeared "virtuous" in the eyes of men, but "vicious" in the eyes of God. Fifth, and last, "Give to him that asketh thee," ( Matt 5:42 ) and place the beggar in the hand of God.

humbly,
Theophilus