Hell is full of good intentions and wills

Hell is full of good intentions and wills

Saint Francis de Sales, a 16th-century bishop and Doctor of the Church, is known for his teachings on the importance of good intentions and wills in the Christian life. He believed that our intentions and wills are crucial in determining our actions and ultimately our destiny. In his view, hell is full of good intentions and wills that were not aligned with God's will.

Saint Francis de Sales emphasized the importance of having pure and holy intentions in all that we do. He believed that even good actions could be tainted if they were not done with the right intentions. For example, giving to the poor out of a desire for recognition or praise is not truly charitable in the eyes of God. Instead, true charity comes from a pure heart that seeks only to serve others and glorify God.

Similarly, Saint Francis de Sales taught that our wills must be aligned with God's will in order to live a truly virtuous life. He believed that our wills are the driving force behind our actions and that they must be surrendered to God in order to live in accordance with His plan. This requires humility, trust, and a willingness to let go of our own desires in favor of God's will.