Article February 23, 1957 Issue

SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING

NANCY L. HOLDER

Man does not originate spiritual understanding; it is the function of Spirit, God, to impart it to him, and since every function of Spirit is ever operative, the real, spiritual man is forever God-endowed with spiritual understanding. That this truth is demonstrable, Mary Baker Eddy makes clear in "Science and Health with Key to Scriptures." There she writes (p. 505), "Spirit imparts the understanding which uplifts consciousness and leads into all truth." On the same page she also says, "Understanding is the line of demarcation between the real and unreal." And she explains, "This understanding is not intellectual, is not the result of scholarly attainments; it is the reality of all things brought to light."

Reality comes to light when we lay hold on spiritual understanding at the highest point of our present demonstration; when, in deep consecration, patience, and persistence, we see as unreal and therefore powerless the carnal mind's suggestions, which would claim to obscure our true nature and capacities.

Our Leader tells us (ibid., p. 323): "In order to apprehend more, we must put into practice what we already know. We must recollect that Truth is demonstrable when understood, and that good is not understood until demonstrated." Even the beginner in the study of Christian Science will find that he is able to prove each least idea of Truth that he really understands, if he makes the effort to apply it to his own circumstances instead of passively accepting it as a beautiful theory.

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