In the Christian Science Bible Lesson November 21, 2011 Issue

Don't be fooled

For the lesson titled "Ancient and Modern Necromancy, Alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced" from November 21-27, 2011

By Genelle Austin-Lett

This week’s Bible Lesson, “Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced” unfolds the need to “. . . control evil thoughts in the first instance, or they will control you in the second” (Science and Health, p. 234, citation 7). We are to put “every evil thing and every kind of wrong” out of our lives, in order to not “be fooled” (James 1:21, 16, Golden Text, New Century Version). 

Foolishness would cover being ignorant, naive, dull, reckless, deceived, impulsive, and illogical. The biblical accounts in this Lesson define “foolishness” starting with Moses’ warning of acculturation (Section I), continuing with Nabal’s unfriendliness and David’s violent reaction to Nabal (Sect. II), vain Absalom’s attempts to overthrow his father (Sect. III), the crowd’s believing Jesus was the prince of the devils (Sect. IV), and lastly the “barbarians” who go from thinking Paul is a murderer to elevating him to a god (Sect. V).

Moses warns against slipping into accepting the dominant culture of a community to determine our lifestyle. His advice to the priests and Levites before occupying the Promised Land is applicable today. Seek divine guidance from God alone, not fortune tellers, wizards, or dead spirits. Prayer supersedes magical formulas (see Deut. 18:9–11, 13, cit. 2).