True Wisdom

ALFRED MARSHALL VAUGHN

Many of us have been placed in situations where we were undecided what we should do, and have spent much time in uncertanity. Yet there are exact rules by which we can arrive at correct decisions and have the positive assurance that we are being led aright.

To turn humbly to divine Mind for direction is the first step towards gaining true wisdom. This is illustrated in the experience of Solomon when he became king of Israel. When "the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee," in his humble prayer Solomon said: "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. ... Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad."

When one sees that wisdom belongs not to mortal mind, but to divine Mind, one rejects the belief of indecision, and turns to divine Mind for direction. Then, as one progresses in the understanding of Christian Science, he learns that perfect wisdom is expressed by the real man, because he is the reflection of the all-knowing Mind.

Christ Jesus understood so clearly the true nature of God and man that he manifested divine wisdom on every occasion. He was undisturbed by the testimony of material sense. He said, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." Because he did not judge according to the testimony of material sense, but instead turned to the true idea of God and man, he could heal all manner of disease.

It is the acceptance of the testimony of material sense that causes one to become confused. The denial of the testimony of the senses and the realization that perfect wisdom belongs to the real man, enable one to make right decisions.

A man was offered a position which apparently would give him a larger income than he was receiving in his present business. He was a student of Christian Science, so he had learned to judge not in accordance with "the appearance," but to "judge righteous judgment"; that is, he knew that simply looking at the situation from the standpoint of material sense was not the correct way of solving the problem. So he turned to the fact that God is the all-knowing Mind and is perfectly reflected by man. As he held to this truth it became very clear to him that it was best for him not to accept the offer. About six months after making the decision, he received information which convinced him that he had unquestionably made the right decision. In the meantime he had been very happy and successful in his business, and had constantly had an assurance that he had been guided by divine wisdom.

How wonderful it is to learn that perfect wisdom is reflected by the real man! As we hold to the fact that this true man is our real selfhood, we are lifted above the sense of confusion, indecision, and lack of confidence. The Bible tells us, "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it." This unerring direction comes only as we turn away from the belief that man is material to the fact that man is spiritual and expresses the perfect wisdom of Mind.

Knowing what discernment of the true nature of man would do for the disciples, and telling them that they would be brought before kings and rulers for his name's sake, the Master said, "I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist."

The earnest study of Christian Science and consistent, prayerful effort to put its teachings into practice enable us to lift our thought above the false evidence of the senses and see man and the universe as spiritual and perfect, the manifestation of God, divine Mind. Speaking of some of the effects of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 128), "Business men and cultured scholars have found that Christian Science enhances their endurance and mental powers, enlarges their perception of character, gives them acuteness and comprehensiveness and an ability to exceed their ordinary capacity."

God, the all-knowing Mind, is ever present, but material sense is not aware of the fact of the ever-presence of Mind, and of man as the perfect expression of the all-knowing Mind. Therefore, one must deny the testimony of material sense and declare that man is spiritual and ever aware of the presence of the all-knowing Mind and knows himself as the perfect reflection of Mind. This realization enables one to know what is the right thing to do, and to do it fearlessly and joyously.

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