Do you ever stop to think that Bible stories from thousands of years ago have cutting-edge relevance when it comes to today’s issues—those close to home or across the globe? The story of Naaman in the Old Testament (see II Kings 5:1–14) often reverberates for me, especially when I’m holding views I’m not so ready to give up.

As captain of his army, Naaman helped win deliverance for his people. Yet when he was faced with what was described as a loathsome physical disease, the battle was of a different sort. Told by the prophet Elisha to do something that seemed demeaning for a heralded captain of an army to do—wash in the river Jordan seven times—he rejected this order in anger.

Naaman’s servants, however, encouraged him to take a second look, to humble himself and follow Elisha’s God-impelled directions. Naaman did, and had an instantaneous healing. Naaman went far beyond listening to servants—he gave up pride, ego, and self-justification, and responded to what we would understand today to be the light of the Christ. Mary Baker Eddy, author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, defines Christ as “the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness” (Science and Health, p. 332).

In order to help Naaman gain a sense of humility, his servants had asked him, “If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” (II Kings 5:13). When we’re asked to do some high and noble thing, we’re often happy to respond. But when asked—or required—to take humbler steps, shouldn’t each one of us yearn to feel a deep sense of willingness?

What I came to see so clearly is that wherever my human opinions land, there is a far greater directive at work—the charge to love our fellow man.

Some years back, during a family vacation, my brother and I discussed several controversial subjects. We had some decidedly differing views. He criticized my position in strong terms, and we parted in anger.

Deeply hurt by his comments, I went for a long drive and considered our conversation. I prayed for God, infinite Mind, to guide me. It wasn’t long before I detected some hardened self-righteousness in my thinking, and, like Naaman, I felt humbled and repentant. 

Upon returning to the cabin, I apologized to my brother for refusing to be open and inclusive, for shutting the door on his views. Our relationship was healed at that moment. We haven’t had another argument since that time over 17 years ago.

This doesn’t mean every strongly held thought I had disappeared in that moment. But what I came to see so clearly is that wherever my human opinions land, there is a far greater directive at work—the charge to love our fellow man (see Matthew 22:39). Whether we’re confronted with disagreements within our branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, at the dinner table, or in an interchange at work, we can embrace Mary Baker Eddy’s guidance, “Love for God and man is the true incentive in both healing and teaching.” We can trust that “Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way” (Science and Health, p. 454). When nurtured and treasured, this love for God and man raises us to a higher sense of spiritual vision and expression.

If we are frozen by a sense of self-righteousness, our ability to grow spiritually and to love others will be stymied. Mrs. Eddy writes, “One can never go up, until one has gone down in his own esteem” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 356). Christ Jesus explained it this way: “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). 

The Bible describes a blatant example of self-righteousness. A group of scribes and Pharisees brought an accused woman before Jesus, letting him know that this woman had been caught in the very act of adultery (see John 8:1–11). They knew that according to Mosaic law she should be stoned to death, and they tempted Jesus to contradict that law. His answer—“Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (verse 7, New Living Translation)—humbled them. His response to their demand caused them to face their self-righteousness and hypocrisy and back off from stoning the woman. 

Mrs. Eddy speaks of God’s tender action in rebuking and reversing hardheartedness in her beloved poem, “ ‘Feed My Sheep,’ ” (Poems, p. 14):

Many heartfelt points of view accompany religion and politics in our world today. As we embrace humility and drop the stones of self-righteousness, we become able to express more consistently a genuine, spiritual love for God and our fellow man.

Isn’t this the divinely natural thing to do?