Editorial October 25, 1930 Issue

Overcoming Temptation

Duncan Sinclair

The word "temptation" is generally used with reference to sin. Thus, one is spoken of as being tempted to commit an evil deed, an unjust act, or to pursue a line of conduct which is immoral in its nature. Every mortal is liable to this form of temptation, although in varying degree; and it is common knowledge that resistance to it also varies greatly.

In Christian Science "temptation" has a much wider application than that just indicated. While the student of Christian Science uses the term in its application to sin, he also applies it to sickness or disease; indeed, to every phase of inharmony. This may seem strange to those unacquainted with Christian Science; but to the one who has attained to an understanding of reality through this Science, and has learned to distinguish between the real and the unreal, no other attitude is possible.

Christ Jesus, our Way-shower, lived under conditions similar to our own. He had all the temptations of the flesh—the material sense of things—to contend with; and he overcame them, every one. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews says that he, Jesus, "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Not only did he resist and overcome the temptation to sin, but he resisted the temptation to believe in the reality of disease and overcame it also. The New Testament shows that all manner of false beliefs were denied and destroyed by him, beliefs which to human sense appeared to be based on material law. Under the caption "Spiritual law the only law," on page 273 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes: "Jesus walked on the waves, fed the multitude, healed the sick, and raised the dead in direct opposition to material laws. His acts were the demonstration of Science, overcoming the false claims of material sense or law."

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