God is the only power

This week’s Bible Lesson, titled “Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced,” opens with a line from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked” (6:7 , Golden Text). In other words, God is the only power, and it’s important to be mindful that you aren’t tricked into thinking that whatever you do in the name of God, religion, or ethics, is for your own glory. The temptations to take personal credit for goodness can be subtle.

The ancient Israelites knew of these temptations. The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible renders Deuteronomy 11:16 (citation 1 in the Lesson): “Take care, or you will be seduced into turning away, serving other gods and worshiping them.” Ancient Israel’s prohibition against idolatry and the worship of other gods made it theologically unique in that world. Worshiping other gods meant turning away from God. It would be easier to look pious than to forgive your neighbor. Taking that shortcut is denounced by the Torah, and that is why we have the command in Leviticus 19:2 , “Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy” (citation 2). The rest of that chapter describes what holiness looks like in practice. It includes being just, compassionate, and humble. It also includes the commandment “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (verse 18 ), quoted by Jesus and Paul in the New Testament.

There are two examples in this Lesson of being tricked into turning religion into self-glorification, a form of idolatry. The first is the story of Samson from the book of Judges. Samson was supposed to be special; he was committed to God as a Nazarite. Yet he killed many people and destroyed numerous crops out of revenge and personal animosity. He was blinded by his hubris and didn’t see danger coming when it did (see chapter 16, cit. 12). 

The second example is of people in positions of authority making a public display of their piety (see Luke chaps. 20, 21, cits. 19, 20). Jesus taught his followers to work on their inner self, and practice compassion and humility. Paul knew being humble wasn’t easy because it’s tempting to publicize one’s goodness in order to feel important and loved. But he doesn’t mince words when he points out that power is never with us: “For if a man think himself
to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Galatians 6:3 , as quoted by Mary Baker Eddy in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 345 , cit. 25).

With today’s social media, there are plenty of opportunities to make public pronouncements about one’s religion or ethical stance, or to display petitions one has signed. But this week’s Lesson has given me cause to think twice and ask whether taking such actions represents real power and freedom. Am I acting out of forgiveness, humility, and compassion, or just looking pious? On page 192 of Science and Health, we read, “The good you do and embody gives you the only power obtainable” (cit. 14).

The Thanksgiving Bible Lesson column is available on JSH-Online here.