Article January 9, 1915 Issue

True Sensitiveness

REV. LEON G. MILES

When a mental habit is known to be wrong, there is hope that it is well on its way to destruction. A habit which lies in the questionable zone where human opinion is divided, may persist for some time to come, though in the end Truth is bound to conquer. But when sin boldly calls itself virtue, or allows as its greatest concession that it is a justifiable and unavoidable "fault," and when it is accepted at its own valuation even by the "elect," it becomes evident that an extensive campaign of education is necessary before the error's hold upon human belief can be broken.

A certain mortal temper, which passes under the name of "sensitiveness," is more or less prevalent everywhere. It is not necessary to dwell upon its unpleasant manifestations, for we have all come to know people who are forever being offended. Friends and acquaintances, no matter how innocent and pure their motives may be, cannot feel quite easy in their presence or act naturally toward them without the imminent danger of hurting them. The sensitive person seems to carry the proverbial chip on his shoulder, where the slightest jar may dislodge it and bring about an inharmonious season of pained feelings.

The most unfortunate part of such a temper is the frequent tendency of its possessor to look upon its manifestation as a virtue. In his ignorance he is quite apt to tell every one of his disposition, often quite boastingly, as though it marked him as a superior being, made of a little finer stuff than the ordinary mortal. A little careful analysis, however, will reveal the fact that this is not really sensitiveness at all, but a subtle and extreme form of selfishness. "I" and "mine" will be found to bulk unusually large in the mentality that is so deceived. What is known in Christian Science as mortal mind, the fictitious source of all discord, is in control, and has succeeded in deceiving these folk into accepting its regimen as "natural" and unavoidable, if not justifiable. It is high time that this insidious form of ill temper were unmasked, to be destroyed by Truth, and we are sure that if all who have such a tendency recognized it for what it is, the problem of "getting along" with people would be largely solved.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
Only
January 9, 1915
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit