A good intention is the thought that what you are doing is wrong, and know that you should stop doing it - but never do. You had good intentions to stop this sinful act, yet did not do anything to prevent it or stop it. The Devil will play tricks on you. Make you think that you are a saint for caring on such matters, for having such good thoughts, for good intentions. These false compliments are designed to fan you vanity while weaking your fire to act. Not a single soul has entered into heaven, or will enter in to heaven on good intentions alone. In truth, it is fair to say that enternace into heaven has nothing to do with good intention.

The enemy of man will never let you think that you need to do more than having a good intentions. Those who have lived their whole life outside of God, living a life of sin, come to the realization that they are wasting away their life and want to strive to do more. To live a more spiritual life. To be more like Christ. The Devil will whisper "You are so right. This would be a good thing. Let us plan on it tomorrow. But for now my friend, let us enjoy life." And your intention is slowly forgotten. You are distracted and brought back to the lazy seduction of a sinful life. ""How senseless it is when, fo example, a sure remedy is offered for curing one's illness, and the sick one says 'Wait. Let me be sick for a little longer!' And a man who delays the work of salvation does exactly this." Salvation requires action. Requires prayer. Requires repentance and confession. Requires faith and trust.

But do not let desire be your goal. For this is the fuel of the foolish. Desire and passion have no purpose other than to ignite. But once they burn out, the drive is lost. Desire is born of vanity and losses its intensity. The slightest obstacle causes the drive to come to a complete halt. That is why the very first action for salvation is prayer. Asking God for help, for guidance, for strength. And oh how the Devil hates that. Hates it! At this very moment will the horns of this Hater of all grow red with fury. He will shout at you that you are not worthy. That you are forgotten by God. That you have done too much, hurt too many people, committed to many crimes, and will scream at you. But remember this, the Devil is called the Lord of Lies for a reason.

Every person who has ever gone on a diet, will tell you the same thing. The first few weeks are the hardest. Then it gets easier and easier to maintain. A routine is developed and bad habits are replaced with good habits. A life lived of a diet of sinning is the same. The first few steps you take in the beginning are the hardest. Because when you pray to God, it is at this moment your first step is taken. Even before you utter the prayer, before anything else, your intent to pray tells God that you trust He will hear your prayer and act upon your request. And when you follow up this good intention with an action of prayer - the very angels sing. Don't believe me, then consider this: of all the parables in the Bible, one theme is repeated over and over again; the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son; when the lost return all is well.

Good intentions have no home in salvation. They are the dinner bell, but to eat, you must come to the table. "If the the good of awakening from a sinful sleep is not translated into practice, such awakenings do not easily come again."