Temptation and its Overcoming

"Lead us not into temptation." How many lips daily repeat this prayer, and by how many it has been uttered since Jesus' disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray."

Temptation as commonly understood would pre-suppose two conflicting interests forever warring against each other on the world's great battlefield—the human mind. The belief in more than one power has given rise to many strange theories, one of which appears in the story that temptation was first known in heaven and that it brought some of the angels to their downfall. This theory has, however, no support from the Bible, which teaches emphatically that God neither tempts nor can be tempted; hence His presence would exclude even the supposition of another influence or attraction; they could have neither place nor power.

This whole subject is embraced in the question, Is man a spiritual being, or not? If the answer be in the affirmative, then the theory of temptation may be readily disposed of, for as God, Spirit, is not subject to temptation, neither is the spiritual man.

To illustrate, good does not tempt, good inspires, purifies, exalts, and makes free. We never say that a man is tempted to be good, for true goodness is seen to be normal and it is ever free. On the other hand, the belief in temptation implies the existence of a foreign and unnatural element—something which deceives and deludes till the false is taken for the true, the true to be false. This condition constitutes "the belief and dream of material living" referred to in our text-book. (Science and Health, p. I4.)

The all-important consideration for humanity is the way of escape from whatever is evil and untrue, and there are none who do not make an effort, though it may be feeble, to rise above the low and degrading tendencies that in some form assail all mortals. The result of these efforts is proportionate to the clearness with which "the beauty of holiness" is recognized and its value appreciated. However much may be said as to the need of separating evil from good, the fact remains that when Truth is understood and loved, evil has no longer any power to tempt.

As we win our way in Christian Science we see more and more clearly the need of this understanding, for material sense would deceive continually even after the grosser forms of temptation no longer appeal to us.

The Bible says that Jesus was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." This statement makes it very clear that, whatever guise temptation may assume, the problem for every man is the same, and that our only safety lies in taking refuge in God, in realizing that our true being is spiritual and perfect, then sin has no power over us.

One very subtle form of temptation is the whispered suggestion that it is most wearisome to keep constantly alert in order to rise above the fear and the possibility of sickness and sin. The fallacy of this will be quickly perceived by every clear thinker, and Christian Science compels us all to think clearly in order to progress. Would we admit that it is necessary to struggle constantly against the desire to commit murder or some other terrible crime? Most people would indignantly repudiate such an intimation, and why? Because they hold themselves to be superior to such error, and with some justice they would deny its power over them. The time has come when Christian Scientists should live up to their high standard, and meet without a moment's delay every suggestion of error which would hinder their knowing with perfect certainty that the triumph of the cause of Truth is already assured, and that the complete deliverance of every one who is loyal to divine Principle is equally certain.

"God is not separate from the wisdom He bestows" (Science and Health, p. 6), and good is ever on the winning side, whether apparent or no, and no accumulation of false evidence should ever tempt the Christian Scientist to doubt or to waver.

We need at this time to be boldly aggressive in meeting error, not indolent nor half-hearted, and though we know the utter inefficiency of "carnal weapons," we have learned the effectiveness of the spiritual armament which has become available through the understanding given us in Christian Science. Although Jesus was tempted by evil suggestions from without, error never found him asleep. At every assault he turned upon the foe with an invincible weapon, the sword of the spirit which is the word of God, and by its use gained fresh victories at every attack.

It is important for each of us to make due preparation for the overcoming of material sense, including all sin, sickness, and death. It would be useless to put into the hands of an untrained soldier a keen sword, for unless he had the requisite training, he could ill defend himself in the hour of need; but with this preparation he would reach, unwounded, the decisive close of every combat.

What we need first of all is the understanding of God as the only Mind, then constant watchfulness and prayer which should constitute our daily mental drill, and though temptations may seem to come thick and fast we shall parry every attack with increasing skill and ease, leaving behind us the fallen foes that never possessed either life or mind.

As victories take the place of defeats, we shall ascribe to Truth all praise, and realize the spiritual sense of the Lord's Prayer as given in our Leader's words, "And Love leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death" (Science and Health, p. 17).

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