In this profound lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III teaches that loving God is not enough; one must also have a strong will to resist sin and walk in the path of goodness. The will is the inner power that enables the heart to live what the mind believes and what the soul desires.

Main points:

• Heart and Will: Loving God must be whole-hearted; a divided heart weakens the will.

• Conscience and Will: The conscience guides but does not compel—like a traffic light that warns but does not stop you. True discipline comes from within.

• Causes of Weak Will: Desire, prolonged exposure to temptation, and living amid sin or stumbling blocks. The longer the temptation lasts, the weaker the will becomes.

• Ways to Strengthen the Will:

  • Avoid sources of sin, temptation, and every environment that weakens the soul.

  • Resist sinful thoughts immediately before they take root.

  • Persevere in the means of grace—prayer, Scripture, Communion, confession—which nourish the soul and fortify the spirit.

  • Force yourself to do good and flee from evil until righteousness becomes natural.

  • Practice steady spiritual exercises seriously and consistently.

  • Be firm and uncompromising with sin; avoid excuses or “easy solutions.”

• Persistence in Goodness: The earnest person does not retreat before obstacles but rejoices in conquering them, like David before Goliath, pressing forward with determination like an arrow aimed at its target.

Spiritual Message:
A strong will is built through vigilance, striving, care, and perseverance in a continuous spiritual life. Whoever clings to God with all his heart strengthens his will by His grace and becomes able to master sin instead of being mastered by it.

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