Have you ever been told off, unjustly criticized? What were your immediate thoughts and actions? Angry self-justification? Sorrowful self-condemnation? Self-righteous explanations?

Through Christian Science we find that right thinking and acting are natural to us. God is Mind, and the offspring of Mind naturally express His divine, intelligent power. We go beyond human reaction and reasoning as we understand man to be the expression of Mind. Mrs. Eddy writes: "Know, then, that you possess sovereign power to think and act rightly, and that nothing can dispossess you of this heritage and trespass on Love. If you maintain this position, who or what can cause you to sin or suffer?" ^{Pulpit and Press, p. 3;}

When we learn we are divinely appointed to bear witness to divine Love, we are less tempted to react negatively. We come to know that the Godlike is real and that whatever appears ungodlike is unreal, powerless. We are not fooled by or responsive to evil's misrepresentations of being. As the reflection of God, man is Truth-governed, Love-governed. There are no misunderstandings in the realm of God. There are no arguments, debates, rebellions. There is no outside source to contend with or strive against. God's expressions do not oppose Him or each other. They reveal Him, they glorify Him, because they are of Him.

Christ Jesus demonstrated the true selfhood of man. He expressed the divine nature, proving its reality, its power. Because he claimed no other Mind but God, Jesus' thoughts and acts were the outcome of Mind, of infinite divine intelligence, not the result of human reasoning or reaction.

Jesus' teachings and works are the perfect example to follow. Consider his actions as he neared the summit of his career. He was unjustly accused and taken prisoner. Yet, he didn't argue with the false witnesses or justify himself or his position. Instead, he "held his peace." ^{Matt. 26:63;} Refusing to argue with envy and hatred, "he answered nothing." ^{Mark 15:3;} Earlier he had instructed his disciple Peter, "Put up... thy sword." ^{Matt. 26:52;}

Jesus went on to complete triumph over the flesh, over the carnal misrepresentation of God and His idea. Through following his example we can learn and prove our indestructible relationship with God. We can demonstrate man's harmonious being, which cannot be invaded, disrupted, or disturbed.

In a situation of injustice or misunderstanding we can maintain our natural serenity. Silently affirming the allness of God, we become conscious of His presence. Even when our fellowmen seem far removed from Christliness, we can acknowledge the perfection of man as God's holy manifestation and help prevent suffering from the belief he can be otherwise. We can resist the temptation to indulge in hurt feelings, self-justification, or revenge.

Christliness rejects combative mortal instincts. It recognizes that injustice or unfairness is a misconception of the harmony and order that are really present, a suggestion that God is absent. Knowing this truth, that good alone is present, we can hold our peace. This is not just being quiet; it is quiet being. It is being conscious of the unity of God and man. It is actively reflecting Love, which knows nothing but love. Our Christly nature is free of selfish pride, self-will, or egotism.

Then what about offering criticism to another—constructive criticism "for his own good"? In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy states, "It requires the spirit of our blessed Master to tell a man his faults, and so risk human displeasure for the sake of doing right and benefiting our race." ^{Science and Health, p. 571;} If we express this spirit, if we are selfless, humble, kind, the criticism will heal, not hurt. Those who receive criticism will feel blessed, not offended or defensive. Criticism based on divine Principle, Love, is just, because it reveals error to be a lie. It frees. It is truly constructive. It is impersonal, compassionate, timely.

If our criticism causes resistance, there may be a goodly amount of condemnation or personal judgment in it. The kindest course, then, is to hold our peace—"Be still, and know that I am God." ^{Ps. 46:10.} This stillness is active spiritual knowing. Through it we gain the conviction of the government of Mind and the goodness of man as God-governed. Such prayer exposes error as a lie, and once recognized as a lie, it is destroyed.

Following Jesus' example, letting divine Mind be our Mind, we see there is really no accuser or accused, no victimizer or victim in Mind. We are freed from beliefs of persecution or attack. We are rescued from the temptation to believe in injustice or to act in revenge. We are guided to speak and act in accordance with Love, Principle. We are lifted to the recognition of God and His harmonious, uninterrupted being.