In the Christian Science Bible Lesson November 19, 2012 Issue

Polished mental shields

For the Lesson titled "Ancient and Modern Necromancy, Alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced" from November 19 - 25, 2012

Madelon Maupin—Newport Beach, California

Someone unfamiliar with Christian Science might think necromancy and mesmerism are terms more suited to the 19th than the 21st century. Yet this Bible Lesson, titled “Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced” unveils evil’s attempted methodologies to appear real, by exposing and silencing their deceptive nature. What could be more contemporary and needed, especially when such toppling heals and brings great joy. 

The opening Golden Text from the New Living Translation and the final seventh section provide bookends that surround the interior passages’ instruction on how to silence “lying lips” (Psalms 31:18, GT). The seventh section promises that “every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn” (Isaiah 54:17, citation 23). The New Living Translation puts it this way: “You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you.” Each interior section identifies one of these accusatory “voices,” explaining how to detect and destroy them as Christ Jesus did.

The Responsive Reading is from James, a letter perhaps penned by Jesus’ oldest half-brother who became a Christian after witnessing the resurrection. James’ letter helps Christians understand what would derail their spiritual advancement by alerting them to what Mary Baker Eddy calls “animal magnetism” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 103, cit. 4)—seen in warnings about the self-deception of “lying lips” through gossip, jealousy, and ambition. James describes God’s tender wisdom with the voice of one who has himself experienced it, when he writes: “The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others” (James 3:17, NLT, RR).

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