Editorial November 4, 1939 Issue

That Which Must Be Learned

Evelyn F. Heywood

In speaking of Jesus and the fierce ordeals which assailed him, Mary Baker Eddy has written, "Yet he swerved not, well knowing that to obey the divine order and trust God, saves retracing and traversing anew the path from sin to holiness" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 20). He who swerves in his trust and obedience to Principle, does so because he has not yet learned that the way out of every danger and the fears which accompany it, is to be found only in complete reliance on and submission to the divine will.

As, in the exercise of divine intelligence, men come to see that the supposititious claim of evil to be power, to terrorize, and to ensnare can be broken only by the might of Spirit, the purpose of the Christ-message and example will be fulfilled, and peace will reign universally in the hearts of men.

It is recorded in Matthew's Gospel that Jesus, before being tempted of the devil, was "led up of the spirit into the wilderness." The way whereby evil is proved powerless to benefit or harm the son of God, leads ever upward and in obedience to Truth. That which led Jesus upward, at the same time strengthened, preserved, and inspired him for the conflict with the enemy. The Christian Scientist, equipped with the knowledge that every argument offering relief or satisfaction in matter is powerless, will find Spirit leading him forward to victory. He too will learn that through trust and obedience comes understanding whereby is salvation from the reversals and defeats which are the experience of those who succumb to or parley with the arguments and suggestions denying God's allness. Evil that has been proved powerless can no longer torment and deceive. The refuge, often seemingly reasonable and advantageous, which error offers from the exactions of the hour, serves but to delay the vital issue, the true test of reliance and obedience. We can be assured that the temptations which beset Jesus in the wilderness ceased from thenceforward to present themselves as real to this ascending consciousness. Temptations sometimes small, sometimes great, gather momentum if unconquered. Fear indulged gradually masters its victim. No progress is ever accomplished which is not in the way of overcoming; this is the test of character, the assurance of that which is destined, in discipline and devotion, to bring enlightenment and salvation to the world.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

That Which Must Be Learned

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access