Few concepts are as important—and as debated—as free will. Are our choices truly our own? Or are we merely following destiny, karma, or divine plans?
In The Spirits’ Book, Allan Kardec addresses this profound question through the guidance of enlightened spirits, offering a view that balances freedom with responsibility, and choice with spiritual law.
Let’s explore what Spiritism teaches about free will, and how this principle shapes our lives, our progress, and our relationship with the divine.
What Is Free Will According to Spiritism?
In Spiritism, free will is a divine gift given to all spirits as they reach a certain stage of moral and intellectual maturity. It allows us to:
- Make decisions
- Learn from consequences
- Shape our own path of spiritual evolution
Question 843 of The Spirits’ Book:
Does man have free will in the actions of his life?
Answer: Yes, since he has freedom of thought.
This freedom, however, is not absolute in all situations. It develops over time, alongside our spiritual growth.
The Evolution of Free Will
Spiritism teaches that free will is progressive:
- Primitive spirits (in their earliest incarnations) act mostly on instinct, with limited awareness of consequences.
- As spirits evolve, they develop conscience and discernment, gaining more autonomy in moral choices.
- Highly evolved spirits have full understanding and responsibility for their actions, using free will with wisdom and compassion.
In other words, the more we mature spiritually, the more we consciously use our freedom in alignment with divine law.
Destiny vs. Free Will: Are We Bound by Fate?
Spiritism rejects the idea of fatalism, or a destiny we cannot change. However, it does acknowledge certain planned events in our life, chosen before birth to help us grow.
Examples might include:
- Being born into a specific family
- Facing certain health challenges
- Experiencing particular relationships or losses
These are not punishments or rewards—they are opportunities for learning. Within these frameworks, how we respond is entirely up to us.
So while some experiences may be prearranged, our attitude, decisions, and reactions are where free will operates most strongly.
Karma in Spiritism: Not What You Think
While Spiritism doesn’t use the term “karma,” it recognizes the law of cause and effect. However, this law is not deterministic—it’s educational.
- If we cause harm, we may be called to experience the consequences—not as punishment, but to understand and evolve.
- But through sincere effort, love, and transformation, we can soften or avoid future suffering.
Free will allows us to choose redemption, improvement, and inner change, even in the face of past mistakes.
Responsibility: The Flip Side of Freedom
With great freedom comes great responsibility.
According to Spiritism:
- We are responsible for our thoughts, words, and actions.
- Ignorance can lessen guilt, but as we evolve, our accountability increases.
- Spirit guides are always near to help—but they never force us.
This responsibility is not a burden, but an invitation to conscious living. It empowers us to shape our future and repair our past.
The Role of Conscience
Our conscience is our inner compass—a reflection of divine law within us.
Kardec teaches that:
- Conscience grows clearer as the spirit matures.
- Even those who deny moral law often feel inner conflict when they violate it.
- Free will is exercised best when guided by conscience, love, and reason.
This inner voice helps us distinguish between freedom and impulse, choice and reaction, growth and repetition.
What About External Influences?
Life is full of influences: upbringing, culture, spirit obsessions, even societal pressure. But Spiritism teaches that none of these eliminate free will.
They may cloud it, challenge it, or complicate it—but we always retain the ability to choose differently, to seek light, and to evolve.
And when we truly strive for improvement, we attract benevolent spiritual support to strengthen our will.
Mediumship and Free Will
Even mediums—those with a natural sensitivity to the spirit world—have full free will.
- A medium is not forced to receive messages.
- They can choose when and how to develop their abilities.
- Spirits may influence, but never override free will—unless the medium consciously yields control.
This reinforces one of the core principles of Spiritism: freedom with awareness, never blind submission.
Final Reflection: Freedom to Evolve
In Spiritism, free will is not an illusion—it is a sacred tool for self-transformation. It is what allows us to:
- Make mistakes and grow from them
- Choose love over fear
- Align ourselves with divine principles by our own effort
Rather than a random power, free will is guided by conscience, illuminated by wisdom, and supported by spiritual guidance.
You are not a puppet of fate.
You are a spirit in evolution, with the freedom to rise, to repair, to love—and to shine.
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