Overcoming Evil

REGINA B. M. NASH

IF we have been wronged or unjustly treated, it is apt to appear difficult to our outraged sense of right to obey the admonition of Paul, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Yet, if this be not done, we shall continue to suffer heartaches. Through Christian Science we gain the knowledge that God is All,—omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient good,—and that error is untrue. And it is only by understanding the unreality of evil and its powerlessness that we are able to heed Paul's injunction. What to us seems evil is in reality false belief. Surely, when fully awakened to the truth, we shall readily "overcome evil with good."

We are likely to be kind and loving to one suffering from sorrow or sickness, but we should deal just as compassionately with another who may have misjudged, condemned, or injured us. Both alike are in bondage to beliefs of evil; and the latter may be anxious to be freed from sin, hate, spite, jealousy, or envy, just as much as the former desires health and happiness.

It is only by right thinking and consequent right acting and talking that we shall overcome or destroy evil. If we think our brother has injured us, we are believing there is a power other than good. Instead of feeling wounded or resentful toward such a one, we should prove our understanding of the supremacy of good by knowing that the seeming angry word or unjust criticism was brought about by wrong thoughts which had taken possession of him; but at the same time we must be careful not to excuse error. However, we may always think true, helpful thoughts. We can never overcome error with error. Dwelling upon that which is wrong, talking and discussing it, seems only to strengthen its supposed power. Inasmuch as this is done, we fail to overcome evil, and we sin.

Error is not to be overlooked or condoned in one person and condemned in another. Neither should we think that an erroneous belief is too small or insignificant to be eradicated from our thinking. If not overcome, it will grow in consciousness and be manifested in some mean, worthless word or deed. All wicked deeds arise from wrong thinking. One sick and weary needs to be rid of erroneous beliefs, just as an individual who is sinful.

Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 450), "The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good." To accomplish this we must consecrate ourselves to the joyous privilege of overcoming evil in individual consciousness. No belief of error should be overlooked. Some evil beliefs may appear harmless, but if they remain in consciousness they will be nourished and may grow into angry words or unjust acts before we are aware of their growth. Paul says, "The wages of sin is death." No evil deeds would be committed if there were no wrong thinking. Let us therefore without procrastinating destroy all false beliefs, though some of them may appear to be innocent; for they are all at variance with Life, Truth, and Love.

God is infinite good. Man is the idea of God, and exists as God's likeness. Man therefore cannot but express good, that is, reflect godly qualities. But if our consciousness is pervaded by falsities, right thoughts or the true ideas of God cannot be lodging therein. However, as erroneous thoughts are overcome, true ideas do abide and shine in our mental home. In proportion to the destruction of wrong beliefs in our consciousness, true ideas occupy the space where evil had seemed to be. Thus hate may be replaced by love, resentment by forgiveness, selfishness by charity, avarice by generosity, sorrow by joy, and sickness by health. All good thoughts are true—hence life-giving. Let us fill our consciousness with right thoughts or ideas, which cause us to radiate strength, health, and life.

We should never fail to overcome evil beliefs, for they retard our progress Spiritward and cause us much suffering. Overcoming should not be a difficult task, or an irksome duty. It should be a privilege—a golden opportunity always available—to overcome the machinations of error, and thus bring into manifestation the qualities of God, good, which will prove that we are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." If this realization seems afar, remember that we have started on the right way and shall ultimately win; we shall finally attain complete triumph over error through Truth. In Revelation John writes: "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away"—all wrong beliefs shall have been overcome.

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