Obedience, Not Human Will-Power

MILDRED SPRING CASE

Christian Science has come to human consciousness to reveal the perfectibility of man. It teaches that the man of God's creating is whole, free, sinless, pure, loving—the very expression of his creator. The motive of all demonstration in Christian Science is to dispel the mists of materiality which would enshroud man, and to reveal him in all his perfection. To express the real man is the Christian Scientist's obligation; and with the help, guidance, and wisdom imparted by man's own creator this is not impossible.

Mankind seems to entertain many sickly and sinful beliefs; and if the student of Christian Science is earnest, it is to the dissipation of these beliefs that he applies himself. Because sickness is not a desirable condition to entertain, it does not seem hard to strive to wipe out sickness; but even when the student awakens to see this or that pleasurable belief as unlike man, he sometimes puts off the work of overcoming it; for mortal mind argues that it would be enjoyable to continue a little longer therein.

Let us suppose, for example, that the habit of smoking is being clung to. Sometimes mortal mind bolsters its plea for continuance of the habit by whispering, I must not use human will-power to overcome it. Many people have been instantaneously healed of the desire to smoke. But to continue in this or any other objectionable habit, hoping that one may have an instantaneous healing, is only deceiving one's self. Would it not be a surer method of procedure to decide to obey God in this as in all other ways? Each moment of the day we are called upon to choose between Truth and error, and we do not call it will-power to choose Truth. When the desire to smoke presents itself, it is not using human will-power to turn to God for strength to reject the temptation, to know that carnal beliefs defraud and cheat, and that God's constant outpouring of good satisfies every desire of man wholly and fully. To refuse to accept the suggestions of the carnal mind, but rather to listen to the "still small voice" of God and obey it, then and there, is not using will-power; it is being obedient to God's will.

Mrs. Eddy asks in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 256), "Who is it that demands our obedience?" We must choose between Truth and error; and to act upon the mandates of Truth is to apply the prayer, "Thy will be done." It is the power of God's will we are using in making such a choice. Paul said: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

Christian Science has been given to us to use, and as temptation assails us it is surely right and wise to listen to God's voice and obey it. Human desire may seem to be insistent in its pleas, but because the Christian Scientist loves God more than all else he strives constantly to turn from the carnal mind and obey the will of God. The very effort to stand on God's side gives strength to the active Christian Scientist, and sooner or later the desire to obey God will be greater than the desire to sin. Then the worker will look back upon the victory with gratitude for the higher spiritual understanding gained. No wrong habit is any part of the spiritual real man, and the Christian Scientist should never be content until every dishonoring thought and desire has given way. Thus do we prove that "now are we the sons of God." Mental laziness sometimes keeps us from overcoming wrong habits. When, however, the desire to express God is one's first motive, one wants to enter at once into active effort to overcome all that dishonors Him.

The Christian Scientist should strive to let the decisions of each moment be governed by God's will. To live in the awareness of God's presence, listening for and obeying His voice in each thought, word, and act, is the desire of every sincere worker. In this way our desires are purified and spiritualized, unworthy habits fall away, and steady progress towards the full manifestation of our sonship is maintained.

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