Q&A Home > F > Free Will

How do God's will and our free will work together?

God does not interfere with our free will unless we submit our free will to him. Even when He puts us through trials, He leaves it up to us how to react. This is not against our free will because freedom does not mean chaos. In a very freedom protected country like America, we have free will but we are still held accountable by certain laws and if we break any law we will suffer the consequences. Please read more about this subject in H.H. Pope Shenouda's book "Ten Concepts" under freedom.

God's will and our human free will work together. Combined, this will is called the "strong will."

Many Holy Biblical verses speak of the strong will. "Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat nor with the wine which he drank." The prodigal son said, "I will arise now and go to my father." (Luke 15:18) and a third example is when Zacchaeus repented saying, "Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold" (Luke 19:8).

How do we strengthen our will and make it strong? First, one must have faith in God.  "A just man will fall seven times and rise up again" (Proverbs 24:16). Seven refers to perfection and this verse means that no matter how many times we fall we should never lose hope. The heart of the matter is that we should discipline ourselves. A strong will cannot be achieved without discipline. We must depend upon God and His Holy Grace. "Come to Me all ye that labor and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
The third point is to always have confidence that God is with you; you are never alone in this earthly life. St Macarius the Great stated, "You are God's servant, do not work for someone else, do not depend on someone else, and do not call on someone else." St Arsenius the Teacher stated, "If we seek God, He will reveal Himself to us, and if we ask Him, He will stay with us."

Also you must keep the saints before you as role models. St Athanasius is an example of the courage we need, St Moses the Black is an example of the repentant nature we desire. Continue to read your Holy Bible each day with the holy saints before you, and I am quite sure you will gradually become stronger and stronger.