Article January 31, 1942 Issue

Overcoming the Enemy

ELLA H. HAY

WHAT is the enemy of mankind which is to be overcome? Is it not in the final analysis the false sense of God and man, of the creator and creation? This false sense parades pictures of disloyalty, duplicity, danger, war, disease, and suffering, and apparently makes good its claim to power. But error is powerless, and understanding its mythical nature we nullify its claims. This enemy, however, is not a person or persons. Rather is it belief in the reality of evil, belief that both evil and good are personalized and localized. Our enemy is the acceptance of and the tenacious clinging to matter as the source of pain and pleasure. To overcome this enemy we must first be awake to its claims and then utilize the divine law in destroying it.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 8), "Simply count your enemy to be that which defiles, defaces, and dethrones the Christ-image that you should reflect." The enemies to be overcome are evil beliefs, and these are overcome by spiritual understanding and right acting. Greed, dishonesty, fear, injustice, doubt, despair constitute enemies to progress, while Godlike qualities of joy, humility, unselfishness, honesty, and affection are steps heavenward.

The Christian Scientist knows from his study of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, that God is infinite Mind, and that man is His reflection, spiritual and perfect. Furthermore, he knows that Truth is demonstrable; and he learns to exchange mortal concepts for spiritual ideas emanating from divine Mind. The replacement of material beliefs with spiritual facts constitutes progress.

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