Article August 18, 1923 Issue

The Rebuke that Destroys Error

MARTHA SUTTON THOMPSON

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 452) it is written, "When error confronts you, withhold not the rebuke or the explanation which destroys error." This does not mean that a verbal rebuke or explanation can or should be given every error coming under one's observation; but that, if error seems real to one, he should destroy his own belief in its seeming reality and action by at once rebuking it in his own consciousness. In proportion as this is practiced, one is fitted to aid—when called upon—in the cleansing of another's mentality. Jesus said, "Cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye."

The greatest and most constant work is with self. Too close a watch cannot be kept over one's own motives, thoughts, words, and acts. In so far as these are governed by scientific understanding and love for God and man, they not only become example, inspiration, enlightenment, and strength to those striving for a higher, holier life, but also are a rebuke to evildoers.

A necessary preparation for the destruction of error involves a knowledge of error as false belief. Ignorance may cause one to work for what is erroneous, and against what is right in human experience. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 298) our Leader says: "When unconscious of a mistake, one thinks he is not mistaken; but this false consciousness does not change the fact, or its results; suffering and mistakes recur until one is awake to their cause and character. To know the what, when, and how of error, destroys error. The error that is seen aright as error, has received its deathblow; but never until then."

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