"The weapons of our warfare"

Duncan Sinclair

Paul's statement on the nature of the Christian warfare is particularly free from ambiguity. In the third and fourth verses of the tenth chapter of II Corinthians he writes, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)." The apostle here makes a strong protest against the weapons of materiality, the weapons of the carnal mind, appraising spirituality as the means to be used by the Christian in "the pulling down of strong holds," the overcoming of evil.

There can be no room for doubt that Paul thought as did Christ Jesus on this question. And did not the Master during the whole of his ministry teach and demonstrate the power of good over evil, of love over hate, of spirituality over animality? Love inspired his every word, his every deed. In his Sermon on the Mount we find him reversing the practice of the Jews of his day in words which are as direct and plain as any ever spoken. In the thirty eight verse of the fifth chapter of Matthew's Gospel he says, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." And in the forty fourth verse he continues, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and presecute you." There is no escaping the idealism which the great Way shower's words set forth.

Just as Jesus and his disciple, Paul, preached the way of spirituality, and in their lives demonstrated it, so does Christian Science seek to inculcate spirituality upon all its students, showing them how to practice it. Christian Science points out how discord of every kind arises, and how harmony can be scientifically restored. On page 390 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes, "It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony." Thus the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science makes clear the facts, that discord is the result of lack of knowledge of God, good, and that knowledge of Him counteracts discord, restoring harmony; and in doing so she opens up a study of the greatest value to mankind.

If, then, the right understanding of God is required to restore harmony, obviously the first thing to do is to get this understanding. And this is what Christian Science enables every sincere seeker for Truth to do. Christian Science teaches that God is good, infinite good, and that His creation is like Himself, wholly good. It teaches also that, since good is infinite, what men call evil has no real existence; or, in other words, that evil is unreal. As this teaching is apprehended, one sees how to handle the evil beliefs of mortals after the manner of Jesus; for no longer should one give power to that which has only a seeming existence, or be afraid of what is nothing more than illusion.

Now in thus exposing evil and showing how to meet its false claims, Christian Science does not tell its students to ignore these claims. This Science instructs them to regard evil in its every form as false belief, and thus to handle it as nothing. Until evil ceases to appear to present itself to human consciousness it must be dealt with scientifically in this way. But what a weapon we have in this, the Christianly scientific way of meeting and mastering evil! In it there is no trace of carnality. The method is altogether spiritual, being based on the understanding of God and His perfect creation, and the knowledge of evil's unreality.

Then, again, what protection the understanding of God as infinite good affords against the evil beliefs of mortals held with intent to injure. In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 210) Mrs. Eddy says: "Good thoughts are an impervious armor; clad therewith you are completely shielded from the attacks of error of every sort. And not only yourselves are safe, but all whom your thoughts rest upon are thereby benefited." How grateful is the Christian Scientist for the truth contained in these words! For he understands that it is the good, the truth, the love in his consciousness that protects him from evil and blesses all who seek his help.

The world in general still believes in evil as real because it is ignorant of God as infinite good. Men must come to understand God correctly if they would meet and master the claims of evil scientifically. The weapons of our warfare should no longer be carnal but spiritual, for then they are mighty to the destruction of all unlike good.

Duncan Sinclair

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