Article July 5, 1969 Issue

What Enemy?

LORRAINE J. NEALY

Students of Christian Science are acutely aware of the fact that thought governs the body; consequently they know that they must rid themselves of all resentment. They understand that one must purify his consciousness in order to harmonize his human experience and heal his body.

What happens when someone offends us? Nothing, if we don't react to the barb. However, if we do react, we must proceed to heal the situation by separating the offensive word or act from identity. The error or hurt involved is aggressive suggestion, not reality, not power—only suggestion! In his genuine and only identity the individual is a spiritual idea, the image and likeness of God, good, and by the very nature of his source can express only Godlike qualities. Joyfully we come to the conclusion that we can love the individual without reservation.

When these truths are understood, we have destroyed the error, and there is healing. Ever-present divine Love permeates our consciousness, and resentment, hurt feelings, and so forth disappear. What a relief to know that we don't have to love error but only the child of God's creating! This is why Christ Jesus could say in the Sermon on the Mount, "I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."^{Matt. 5:44;}

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