On Proving Our Armor

Albert F. Gilmore

In the story of David's preparation for his encounter with Goliath are lessons of first importance to Christian Scientists. In I Samuel it is recorded that when the Israelites were faced by the army of Philistines, the giant Goliath came forth with a challenge to combat any man whom the Israelites would send against him. The youthful David, fresh from tending the sheep in the hills, to the surprise of many, asserted his ability to meet and vanquish single-handed the threatening giant. But Saul, lacking the spiritual vision which inspired the youth, was fearful, for he loved the comely lad.

Reassured in some degree by David's declaration that the Lord who had delivered him out of numerous perils would still protect him, Saul consented to his adventure, saying, "Go, and the Lord be with thee." But the king, still thinking in terms of materiality, and fearful for the lad's welfare, put upon David his own armor, a helmet of brass and a coat of mail, placing his own sword in the youth's hands. When David set forth, the strangeness of these habiliments of war disturbed him; for had he not hitherto won all his victories without such trappings? So he returned to Saul, saying, "I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them." And he put them off.

How, armed with only the sling and five smooth pebbles from the brook, David vanquished the giant is a familiar story. Firm in his unshrinking faith in God, he could not permit himself to use untried means. He had proved his own method, in which he had full faith, and he could not bring himself to accept that which might cause him to waver in his assurance of God's protection.

Christian Scientists find great help in this story. They know that, when armed in the holy faith which has grown out of the demonstration of God's power and presence, they need no other protection than divine Love, no other weapon than spiritual Truth. Moreover, they learn that Truth, which they have proved, is the most potent weapon against error, always victorious when rightly used. In unflinching faith, grown strong through many experiences, victorious in the power of triumphant Truth, they go forth against the giants of mortal belief, assured and unshrinking never doubting the outcome. But what would be the result if, at the moment when error's aspects are most threatening, at the suggestion of some sympathetic and mistaken friend, other instruments should be put into one's hand and other armor than the Holy Spirit be put upon one? Would he not, like David, if he were wise, return them; and both armed and armored in faith grown out of much proof of God's omnipotence and omnipresence, go forth with the weapons he had proved, needing nothing else to assure him of complete victory? Too often, solicitous friends, lacking something in Christian faith, would offer to one seeking release through spiritual means a compromise in the form of some material support or remedy. To refuse aid so kindly proffered may not be altogether easy; but refusal is none the less necessary. It is the uncompromising warrior, clad in the full panoply of Spirit, who needs no other support or protection than the divine. God never deserts the faithful, and His protection is the sure defense against every type of evil, even the most monstrous Goliaths of our human experience.

Out of her proved experience of God's protecting care, our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 387), "The history of Christianity furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by his heavenly Father, omnipotent Mind, who gives man faith and understanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering." The necessity for proving one's own armor does not, however, imply that one may not be assisted by another in the demonstration of divine harmony.

We do not know to what extent David was supported by the right thinking of the spiritually-minded among the Israelites; but, as Christian Scientists, we do know that scientific right thinking renders incalculable aid to those who are confronted by the outstanding claims of evil. While the regeneration which constitutes salvation is won by each, much aid may be rendered by the loving friends whose vision is spiritual. How tremendously potent is right thinking Mrs. Eddy makes very clear in "Rudimental Divine Science" (p. 9): "The spiritual power of a scientific, right thought, without a direct effort, an audible or even a mental argument, has oftentimes healed inveterate diseases." What invaluable aid may not thus be given the one striving to throw off the bonds of material belief through the demonstrated power of spiritual Truth?

In the proving of one's armor, faith goes hand in hand with the growth of spiritual understanding. Progress is the result of proof, and our armor is strengthened through experience. Having overcome, as had David, the lions and bears of mortal belief, and proved their nothingness, we are ready to face the most threatening aspects of error in the full assurance that the power of Spirit is all-sufficient. Clad in such proven armor, no evil can terrify.

Albert F. Gilmore

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"Truth and its supremacy"

March 13, 1926

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