The Weakness of Free Will

For Holy Scripture upholds the freedom of the will where it says, “Keep your heart with all diligence.” But the apostle shows its weakness when he says, “The Lord keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” David asserts the power of free will when he says, “I have inclined my heart to do your righteous acts.” But the same man likewise teaches us its weakness when he prays, “Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to greed.” So does Solomon: “May the Lord incline our hearts to himself, so that we may walk in all his ways and keep his commandments, his ordinances and his judgments.” The psalmist points to the power of our will when he says, “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” Our prayer bears witness to its weakness when we say, “O Lord, set a guard over my mouth, and keep the door of my lips.” The Lord upholds the importance of our will when we find, “Break the chains from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.” The prophet sings of its weakness when he says, “The Lord sets free those who are bound,” and, “You have broken my chains; to you I will offer the sacrifice of praise.” [a]

In the gospel we hear the Lord calling us to come to him quickly by our free will: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.” But the same Lord bears witness to its weakness when he says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” The apostle points to our free will when he says, “So run that you may win.” But John the Baptist bears witness to its weakness when he says, “No one can receive anything of himself unless it is given him from above.” We are commanded to guard our souls with all care when the prophet says, “Keep your souls.” But by the same Spirit another prophet proclaims, “Unless the Lord keeps the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” And the apostle, writing to the Philippians, shows that their will is free when he says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”; but to point out its weakness he adds, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do, of his good pleasure.”