Years ago, after hearing news reports of an awful event, a relative exclaimed, “Now we know that evil is real!” It was tempting in that moment to agree with her. The evidence of discord, hatred, and revenge was plain to see. 

As upsetting as the images of the event were, though, I mentally rebelled against this declaration that evil is real. But more was needed. To merely dismiss evil’s apparent reality and power would be uncaring and callous, turning a blind eye to human suffering. I knew in my heart that God is the only power. And as a Christian Scientist, I felt that not acknowledging the presence and power of God, divine Love, in any situation was simply wrong. The demand of the moment was that I recognize divine Love’s pervasive authority and understand that no suggestion of reality in evil could ever be the final word. 

Christ Jesus was able to reject a hypnotic, material picture of any situation because he must have known that seeing as God, Spirit, sees shows that the only true view is spiritual. When confronted by ten lepers (see Luke 17:11–19), Jesus did not express dismay or alarm. Those around him may have seen ten diseased men—unclean, rejected, and maybe even condemned by God. But Jesus saw and felt only what God was being and doing. As Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures explains, he “beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals” (Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 476–477). And the lepers were healed.