In the context of the Bible, "aims" refer to the intentions, goals, or purposes that guide an individual's actions and decisions. The concept of aims is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where the intentions of the heart are often highlighted as crucial to one's relationship with God and others.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible emphasizes the importance of having righteous aims, aligning one's goals with God's will. Proverbs 16:3 states, "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved." This verse underscores the necessity of dedicating one's aims to God, ensuring that they are in harmony with His divine purposes.

Heart and Intentions

The Bible frequently addresses the condition of the heart as the source of one's aims. In 1 Samuel 16:7 , the LORD says to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This passage highlights that God evaluates the intentions behind actions, not merely the actions themselves.

Aims in the Life of Jesus

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of having pure and divine aims. His life and ministry were driven by the aim to fulfill the will of the Father. In John 6:38 , Jesus declares, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me." Jesus' aims were perfectly aligned with God's purposes, demonstrating the ideal model for believers.

Apostolic Teachings

The apostles also taught about the significance of having godly aims. In Philippians 3:13-14 , the Apostle Paul writes, "Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Paul emphasizes the importance of focusing on spiritual aims, striving toward the ultimate goal of eternal life with Christ.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to examine their aims and ensure they align with biblical principles. Colossians 3:2 advises, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This directive calls Christians to prioritize spiritual aims over worldly pursuits, seeking to glorify God in all endeavors.

Warnings Against Misguided Aims

The Bible also warns against aims that are self-centered or contrary to God's will. James 4:3 cautions, "And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures." This verse serves as a reminder that aims driven by selfish desires are not pleasing to God and may hinder one's spiritual growth.

In summary, the Bible presents aims as a reflection of the heart's intentions, urging believers to align their goals with God's will and to pursue righteousness in all aspects of life.1869. darak -- to tread, march
... root Definition to tread, march NASB Word Usage aimed (1), aims (1), archers* (1),
bend (6), bends his bend (1), bent (6), come (1), guide (1), lead (1), leads ...
/hebrew/1869.htm - 6k

Aims of the Papacy.
... 35. AIMS OF THE PAPACY. [Illustration: Chapter header.] Romanism is now regarded
by Protestants with far greater favor than in former years. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm

The Gnostic Aims at the Nearest Likeness Possible to God and his ...
... Book VII. Chapter III."The Gnostic Aims at the Nearest Likeness Possible to God
and His Son. Now I pass over other things in silence, glorifying the Lord. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iii the gnostic aims at.htm

He Then Who, in Speaking, Aims at Enforcing what is Good...
... Book 4 Chapter 34. He then who, in speaking, aims at enforcing what is
good? 34. He then who, in speaking, aims at enforcing what ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 34 he then who.htm

Letter iii. Aims in Life.
... LETTER III. AIMS IN LIFE. My Dear Daughter:"There is no disputing the
fact that in making plans for life very different motives ...
/.../letter iii aims in life.htm

I Mean by Charity that Affection of the Mind which Aims at the ...
... Book 3 Chapter 16. I mean by charity that affection of the mind which aims
at the enjoyment? 16. I mean by charity that affection ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 16 i mean by.htm

The Specimen of Catechetical Discourse Continued, in Reference ...
... Chapter 17."The Specimen of Catechetical Discourse Continued, in Reference Specially
to the Reproval of False Aims on the Catechumen's Part. 26. ...
/.../chapter 17 the specimen of catechetical.htm

The Law, Even in Correcting and Punishing, Aims at the Good of Men ...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter XXVII."The Law, Even in
Correcting and Punishing, Aims at the Good of Men. Let no ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxvii the law even in.htm

The Heresy of Pelagius and Coelestius Aims at the Very Foundations ...
... Book II. On Original Sin. Chapter 28 [XXIV.]"The Heresy of Pelagius and
Coelestius Aims at the Very Foundations of Our Faith. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 28 xxiv the heresy of.htm

Christmas and the Aesthetes
... is expressed in some such words as these: "I have no doubt they do a great deal
of good, but they do it in a vulgar and profane style; their aims are excellent ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/vi christmas and the aesthetes.htm

Coming In
... Sometimes there must be actual surrender and outward withdrawal from lower aims
which, by our weakness, have become rival aims; always there must be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/coming in.htm

Aims (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Aims (3 Occurrences). John 8:50 I, however, am not aiming
at glory for myself: there is One who aims at glory for me--and who judges. ...
/a/aims.htm - 7k

Originates (3 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 7:18 The man whose teaching originates with himself aims at
his own glory. He who aims at the glory of Him who sent him ...
/o/originates.htm - 7k

Teaches (24 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 7:18 The man whose teaching originates with himself aims at
his own glory. He who aims at the glory of Him who sent him ...
/t/teaches.htm - 13k

Deception (24 Occurrences)
... (WEB). John 7:18 The man whose teaching originates with himself aims at
his own glory. He who aims at the glory of Him who sent him ...
/d/deception.htm - 13k

Ain (6 Occurrences)

/a/ain.htm - 9k

Laws (184 Occurrences)
... and Israel), at others in a more unalloyed form. The jubilee aims at both
these evils. It is provided that in that year the peasants ...
/l/laws.htm - 47k

Goal (7 Occurrences)
... to end. 2. (n.) The final purpose or aim; the end to which a design tends,
or which a person aims to reach or attain. 3. (n.) A ...
/g/goal.htm - 8k

Intimately (6 Occurrences)
... Intimately (6 Occurrences). 2 Timothy 3:10 But you have intimately known my teaching,
life, aims, faith, patience, love, resignation, (WEY). ...
/i/intimately.htm - 7k

Tools (3 Occurrences)
... are named. The following article aims to give a list of those mentioned, together
with those that must have existed also. For detailed ...
/t/tools.htm - 14k

Resignation (1 Occurrence)
... Resignation (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 3:10 But you have intimately known my teaching,
life, aims, faith, patience, love, resignation, (WEY). ...
/r/resignation.htm - 7k

What is secular humanism? | GotQuestions.org

What is presuppositional apologetics? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of the mind? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus