The best defense is a good…defense

In Ephesians (see chapter 6) the Apostle Paul says “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  He goes on to say that in doing so, “ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”  Paul is talking about defending yourself against both evil acts and evil thoughts, but especially against evil thoughts.  He tells us that we’re not wrestling against flesh and blood – that means it’s not people we’re defending ourselves against.  It’s all the thoughts, motives, and intents that are swirling around in the collective consciousness.

Mary Baker Eddy confirms this when she writes: “Evil thoughts and aims reach no farther and do no more harm than one’s belief permits. Evil thoughts, lusts, and malicious purposes cannot go forth, like wandering pollen, from one human mind to another, finding unsuspected lodgment, if virtue and truth build a strong defence.”  (see Science and Health, page 234)  Virtue and truth are thought choices that serve as armor.  The more these and similar conclusions fill thought, the more defended you are.

The Psalmist (see 7:10) agreed when he wrote: “My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.”  But God doesn’t stop there.  Not only does He defend those who have already chosen more healthy and holy thoughts, He actually provides those higher, holier mental viewpoints.  Proverbs 16 says, “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”

The bottom line is that the best armor comes directly from God and nothing harmful can penetrate it.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

You can’t please everyone – or can you?

We’ve all heard that phrase – you can’t please everyone.  And it certainly seems to be a truism of human nature.  Each one has his or her own desires or plans or points of view, and getting them to mesh can seem difficult if not impossible.  Then it can sometimes feel as if you either have to give up and give in to achieve any peace – or refuse to budge in order to get your way.  Neither option seems quite right.

The Bible presents a different alternative though.  Of Jesus it is written that God was well pleased with him (see Luke 3:22).  And although Jesus’ virgin birth gave him a relationship with his heavenly Father that is unique, Jesus also made clear that God was the Father of all (see the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 for example). Other new testament writers, including Paul and John, agree that we are all the children of God (see for example Rom 8:14 or 1 John 3:2).  Doesn’t it follow then that God is well pleased with all of us, His beloved children?

Mary Baker Eddy in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures explains it this way “It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love.  Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established. Having no other gods, turning to no other but the one perfect Mind to guide him, man is the likeness of God, pure and eternal, having that Mind which was also in Christ.” (page 467)  (BTW, can you see the many allusions to biblical concepts in her writing?)

To me, this means that as I’m clearer and clearer about my relationship with God – a God who is well pleased with me – I also become clearer and clearer about my relationship with God’s creation, a creation also pleasing to God.  Therefore, I can’t see or find or be influenced by anything that is not in or of God.  This is what Paul calls walking in the Spirit.

This kind of clarity – spiritual thinking – helps to alleviate discord of all kinds.  Remember, God is well pleased with you.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

Two Miles

Most of the time when I go to the grocery store and I ask where something is, they just point or give an aisle number.  At a little more upscale – and more expensive – store where I occasionally shop, they actually stop what they’re doing and take me to the item itself.  That’s sort of like Jesus’ comment in the Sermon on the Mount, “whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”  (See Matthew chapters 5 to 7)  I like the little bit of extra service – and they really seem to be happy to do!

That’s gotten me to thinking about my own level of “customer service” to people I come in contact with, either strangers or those with whom I’m familiar.  Maybe especially those with whom I’m familiar.  Sometimes it’s easy to not work so hard.  I guess that’s the issue; thinking that going the extra mile is hard work!

Mary Baker Eddy, the Founder of the denomination to which I belong (Christian Science for those of you new to my blog) once said, “True prayer is not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection.”  (See No & Yes, page 39)  Learning to love AND including all mankind.  Isn’t that the ultimate customer service?

So really, it doesn’t matter who asks me to go a mile, or maybe even why.  It’s learning to love doing it, as a very natural expression of Him who loved me first (see 1 John 4:19).   What can it hurt to make sure we all get there together!

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.