will-power
"Do not worry about how to defend yourselves." —Luke 12:11
If we publicly disown the Lord, He will disown us in the presence of the angels of God (Lk 12:9). Refusing to publicly acknowledge Jesus may be an unforgivable sin of blaspheming the Spirit (Lk 12:10). This sin is not committed through weakness, for the Holy Spirit will teach us at the proper time "all that should be said" (Lk 12:12). Thus the sin of disowning Jesus is a willful act of rebellion. The Spirit will give us all the wisdom, power, and boldness necessary to stand up for Jesus, but we can refuse to "let it be done" (see Lk 1:38).
Therefore, we shouldn't focus on dealing with our weaknesses so much as with our hearts. It's not that we can't stand up for Jesus but that we don't want to. The Lord has no trouble using our weaknesses to perfect His power (2 Cor 12:9). However, we can ruin His plan for our lives by choosing not to cooperate. By an act of our wills, we have the power to deprive ourselves of true freedom, salvation, and eternal life. In addition to praying for strength in our weakness, we should pray for a humble, contrite, docile, and willing heart (Ps 51:19).
Prayer: Father, may I want what You want as much as You want it.
Promise: "Hence, all depends on faith, everything is grace." —Rm 4:16
Praise: St. Isaac did not disown the Lord even when being tortured and killed.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 22, 2013
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