Pride and humility are opposites. Pride is a false sense of self which includes a fear that perhaps we shall not always do the right thing at the right time, a fear that someone else may get the credit, a fear of what people think of us. Humility, on the other hand, is an inner quiet assurance that God is governing and caring for every detail of our lives. Humility never condones wrongs but never condemns the individual. It is forever independent of personal opinion. And it commands respect.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes: "It is impossible to work from two standpoints. If we attempt it, we shall presently 'hold to the one, and despise the other.'" ^{Science and Health, p. 182;} Does this not challenge us to examine our thinking and see how we most often identify ourselves? Is it with pride or with humility?

We learn in Christian Science that as we see our true selfhood at one with God and demonstrate it, we are able to overcome fear and pride. We must be alert to think of ourselves as Jesus did when he declared of his spiritual self, "I and my Father are one." ^{John 10:30;}

Our real spiritual selfhood is never outside of or apart from God but is God's own spontaneous expression, forever glorying in His beauty and order. Pride or fear would make us believe that we are separated from Him. Pure humility enables us to understand our spiritual oneness with God as His reflection, and this appears humanly as doing the right thing at the right time.

When we understand our real selfhood as God's expression, there is nothing to envy or be puffed up over. In God's allness and goodness all his children have instant access to infinite good, impartially, universally, and simultaneously.

Knowing that we are really at one with divine Mind, who is all-knowing, all-loving, and supreme, we need never feel inferior, shy, or self-depreciative. We need never fear what people are thinking of us, for we know that in reality there is nothing outside of God's allness and nothing in God, good, to be critical or be criticized.

Great strength and humility are expressed in the words which Christ Jesus addressed to Philip, "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."  ^14:10; If we start each day with such a prayer, if we understand and consciously feel our spiritual oneness with our heavenly Father as His expression, we gain spiritual independence and freedom. Then false pride and self-justification fade away. We see the strength of humility rise within us, and we have an assurance and calm serenity far superior to anything formerly felt.

The understanding of man's oneness with God dispels fear of lack and establishes the peace and confidence of true humility. Do we shy away from the word "humility"? Is it because we are afraid we may lose something personally important? This is the false self talking. There can be no real progress without humility. Most great men are humble. Deep, thoughtful, interrogative thinking is beneficial; but prideful, intellectual arrogance hides what God is saying.

One time I was burdened with a human relationship problem and felt that I myself should do something about it. A consecrated Christian Scientist, although knowing nothing of the circumstances, said to me with great spiritual discernment, ''What you need is more spiritual independence." At that moment I saw that I had had a false sense of human independence, and I wanted to claim my own way with self-justification and pride of human will.

I saw that true humility reveals man's real being already at one with God, as the sunbeam is at one with the sun. I saw that God's man is independent of material views, his own or others', but possesses spiritual individuality, which is always God-directed and God-protected. I saw that true humility is simply getting self out of the way. This opens the path to spiritual independence and freedom.

The spiritual illumination was like the song of a bird in my heart. I felt free and happy; and the song must have been heard by all concerned, because suddenly there was no problem, although nothing humanly was said or done by me.

Humility based on understanding our oneness with divine Love establishes peace within. It brings right ideas to us at just the right time and in just the right way. Mrs. Eddy writes: "Humility is lens and prism to the understanding of Mind-healing; it must be had to understand our textbook; it is indispensable to personal growth, and points out the chart of its divine Principle and rule of practice. Cherish humility, 'watch,' and 'pray without ceasing,' or you will miss the way of Truth and Love." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 356.}