Editorial July 31, 1937 Issue

Spiritual Discernment

George Shaw Cook

One of the most illuminating and instructive statements contained in the writings of the Apostle Paul is found in his first epistle to the Corinthians, where he says, "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: ... neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

"The things of the Spirit of God"—ideas of divine Mind—can, as declared by Paul and as taught by Christian Science, be known, perceived, or cognized only through spiritual sense. One becomes cognizant of spiritual truths through spiritual discernment, and not by means of the so-called material senses, or human faculties. The material senses cognize nothing but outward appearances, whereas the spiritual ideas which material objects counterfeit are discernible only to spiritual perception or understanding.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 488), "The corporeal senses can take no cognizance of spiritual reality and immortality." "Well," someone may say, "is it not through the material sense of sight that I am able to read the words of truth contained in the Bible and in Science and Health?" The answer is, "Yes." But the human faculty of sight only enables one to see the words, not the spiritual meaning which they convey. That remains to be discerned by those who read the words with true perception and understanding of their real meaning. This fact has been proved in the experience of many who, having read certain passages in the Christian Science textbook many times, perhaps, without fully understanding them, have suddenly, through spiritual illumination, apprehended the deep spiritual meaning underlying the words, and have exclaimed, "Oh, now I understand what Mrs. Eddy means!" Having eyes, they saw not, until spiritual understanding clarified their vision.

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