Obedience, Not Human Will-Power

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.

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