Article December 6, 1982 Issue

Reshaping human character

STEPHEN D. HELMER

What we perceive right now as the human self is really a limited perspective, a view from the foothills as consciousness gradually rises toward the full recognition of our present and eternal perfection in the image of Spirit.

What we call the human is neither wholly mortal nor wholly divine. On page 115 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy describes the states of thought, or transitional qualities, that lead from lowland outlooks (views of ourselves as partly good and partly evil) on to ever clearer and higher perceptions of our true, uncontaminated selfhood, the spiritual sons and daughters of God.

The demand is that we slough off evil traits, or beliefs, and preserve and nurture good—the qualities of God. Can misery-producing traits be shed? Yes!—though sometimes we need patience. We may need to hold fast to the good while a gentle, Spirit-impelled development takes place. As Christ Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares^{See Matt. 13:24–30 .} illustrates, often we must let evil and good grow side by side for a time until moral progress brings the day of harvest. Then evil is recognized as evil and can be destroyed. But the maturing process can't be rushed or forced. Willful, anguished attempts to change accomplish little.

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