Before the READ, WATCH and LISTEN recommendations for this edition of VIRTUE NEWS, let’s take a moment to explore why the exercise of free will is urgently important to protect. Free will is essential for virtue to operate. When considered in light of an ever more ruthless spiritual battle to ensnare souls in our current times, understanding the need to safeguard our free will is key.  See if you agree.

A Sinister Strategy

In modern times, our spiritual enemy seems focused less on directly flat-lining our faith or vanquishing our virtue. Over the centuries, the malevolent ones in the spiritual realm have been diligent students of human behavior. Too often throughout history, when faith was attacked head-on, martyrs were created--whose example fueled a deeper faith in others who followed after them. Even in the present day, when evil tries to crush our efforts to behave with virtue, it often backfires and achieves the opposite. The struggle can actually make us spiritually stronger. Currently, the tactics of the enemy seem more sophisticated. Now, the focus appears to be: to incapacitate our free will. The demons are tempting our hearts and minds in ways that gradually disable the mechanism through which we choose God, love, and the goodness of virtue. 

How is FREE WILL undermined?

Our enemy attacks with two-fisted blows, employing the tools of both technology and media to shut down our free will. You can observe the process in real time. Our global population spends increasing amounts of time on screens, scrolling, gaming, and virtual social interactions. In the process, we build internal patterns of passivity. We gradually allow more of our day to be filled with things we WATCH rather than things we DO. This process weakens our free will because we are funneled into various user “experiences” that are spiritually empty and relationally distant. We are increasingly addicted, anxious, and isolated. Lots of time is spent in search of something…but the habit of continually seeking information or entertainment leaves us more disconnected from God and each other.

If you think this issue lacks urgency, consider the words of a powerful influencer who believes the age of humans using or needing free will is over. See him speak in his own words: VIDEO LINK. As our technology habits slow down our impulse to think and act on our own, profiteers of corporate media then land the second punch - a tidal wave of media content that manipulates our human longing for worth, joy, meaning, and relationship. Movies, messaging, and information management celebrates hive-minded thought and obedience to a collective group or cause. Those who ask questions or choose faith-inspired values are mocked and marginalized. Those who act on or advocate for personal responsibility and traditional morality are isolated and “canceled”.

Why is free will being TARGETED?

Perhaps you wonder: “What is the end game?” What purpose does it really serve to short circuit humanity’s wiring that empowers us: to freely choose to love, to embrace personal responsibility, and to be a conduit of God’s grace?

It seems personal. Like the deranged terrorists we see in this world, the evil ones attack the children to torment the Father. Our enemy wants to keep us out of heaven and away from the loving arms of God our Father. In paralyzing our ability to make - or even see the choices between good and bad - God and goodness are kept out of view. We are enticed to build our own prison: a fortress of daily fortified self-focused habits, ensnaring our minds and hearts in a lukewarm haze.

What is the path to PROTECT free will?

So, how do we protect and train our own free will and that of our children and families? Consider three recommendations which can help.

1. UNDERSTAND that there is power arrayed against us. Spiritual and emotional temptations are from forces outside of us. Then, it’s important that we acknowledge the damage caused as we cooperate with those forces, and cave in to the temptations. It harms us and our families.

2. EMBRACE the power of intentionality. The enemy uses media and technology to enslave our free will. Choosing intentional boundaries and habits in how we use those exact things is the path to freedom, authentic relationships, and JOY.

3. DEPLOY the power of our secret weapon: IMAGINATION. The enemy wants to reduce our imagination to simply be a playground for selfish amusement. Our spiritual foe wants our imagination enslaved, sexualized, and synchronized with thoughts and images that ignore God, and make morality anything we want. But with God’s grace and our intentional choices, our imaginations can be renewed. 

Below is a collection of recommendations for all ages to READ, WATCH and LISTEN. They invite us to consider how to engage our free will in ways that cultivate heroic virtue.

Praise for Treasure With A Face:

"It is a page turner —full of adventure, interesting characters, danger, disappointment, humor, suspense and unexpected twists and turns as young Eli perseveres in the face of unimaginable obstacles placed in his path. Whom he met and what he found far exceeded any treasure this young child could have ever imagined at the outset of his journey."

- Michael Seagriff, author of Stirring Slumbering Souls and I Thirst for Your Love

"Exploring a mysterious cave, running from bandits, racing across the roofs of Jerusalem, and meeting Mary—Janeen Zaio has created a wonderful faith-centered story that drops kids into an adventure set in the time of the Apostles. Middle school readers will love this book."
-Michelle Buckman, award-winning author

Treasure With A Face by Janeen Zaio, from Perpetual Light Publishing  (tweens)

READ: I AM MARGARET  and SHINE

Discover two more titles that highlight the way our free will is the mechanism through which virtue can grow in our thoughts and actions. See the short descriptions below.

WATCH: Minority Report and Bluey

The following two video title recommendations span a broad age range and provide both entertainment value, plus ample opportunity to consider the power and the value of each free will decision we make.

LISTEN: Day One and My Wish

PRAY: Prayer For Making Decisions

Oh Heavenly Father, I face decisions, and I don’t know what to do.

When I am not at peace, bring me your peace, the peace of your Spirit, the peace of God.

Firstly, calm me, and let me know again that you are in control of all things.

Give me discernment.
Give me clarity, to see things as you see them.

Let not my circumstances, or my insecurity, get in the way of your will.

Make it so that I don’t even have to decide.
Only receive your word, and obey.
In Imitation of Christ, your beloved Son, my savior and Lord.

Let your will be done in this decision and in my life.
In Jesus name. Amen

(Prayer attributed to Therese of Lisieux)