The Rebuke That Destroys Error

In “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 452) it is written, “When error confronts you, withhold not the rebuke or the explanation which destroys error.” This does not mean that a verbal rebuke or explanation can or should be given every error coming under one’s observation; but that, if error seems real to one, he should destroy his own belief in its seeming reality and action by at once rebuking it in his own consciousness. In proportion as this is practiced, one is fitted to aid—when called upon—in the cleansing of another’s mentality. Jesus said, “Cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.”

The greatest and most constant work is with self. Too close a watch cannot be kept over one’s own motives, thoughts, words, and acts. In so far as these are governed by scientific understanding and love for God and man, they not only become example, inspiration, enlightenment, and strength to those striving for a higher, holier life, but also are a rebuke to evildoers.

A necessary preparation for the destruction of error involves a knowledge of error as false belief. Ignorance may cause one to work for what is erroneous, and against what is right in human experience. In “Miscellaneous Writings” (p. 298) our Leader says: “When unconscious of a mistake, one thinks he is not mistaken; but this false consciousness does not change the fact, or its results; suffering and mistakes recur until one is awake to their cause and character. To know the what, when, and how of error, destroys error. The error that is seen aright as error, has received its deathblow; but never until then.”

In order to see error aright, one must first know God, good, aright,—know that God is infinite Mind, including all intelligence, goodness, power,—the creator of all that really exists. Then it follows, as day follows dawn, that creation is spiritual, perfect, and changeless as its creator. This correct view is the lens which enables the student of Christian Science to discern between the real and the unreal. It brings the understanding that aught unlike divine Mind is not of God, but is a contradiction of what Mind is, and of what it puts forth, loves, and cares for through eternal spiritual law. From this viewpoint one divines the nature of thoughts, things, and conditions, rejects the spurious, and accepts the genuine,—the realities or ideas of the divine Mind.

Silence, when accompanied by right thinking, is often the most potent rebuke. Of this there is notable evidence in the incident of Peter’s denial of the Master. Jesus had patiently and persistently taught Peter the way of life and love by remarkable precept and example; had endured the scorn and persecutions of ignorance, bigotry, and hate, that he might afford every proof that God is the Father of man, and that “now are we the sons of God.” Yet in that hour when the loving and beloved Teacher was about to lay down his sense of earthly life in unparalleled sacrifice for all humankind, Peter yielded to cowardice and denied him thrice! Whereupon it is recorded that the Lord simply “turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

The Nazarene possessed such a pure sense of good that error could not masquerade in his presence as the truth. He detected it in words and acts and in the countenances of men; aye, and read it in their thoughts. The Samaritan woman, after talking with him at the well, “went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” As an accomplished musician recognizes all false tones to be outside the realm of music, so Jesus, aware of the harmonies of divine Mind, instantly detected whatsoever was unlike that Mind, and gave it its proper place apart from the realm of infinite Mind, that is, no place! The musician, however, does not consider it his business to correct all musical mistakes falling upon his ears. Jesus did not cast his pearls before those unprepared for the explanation or rebuke; and neither should the Christian Scientist assume the right or duty to “talk Christian Science” or “point out error” to any one unless he is appealed to or feels sure that exceptional circumstances endow him with that privilege for the purpose of helping the situation. Meddlesome interference never benefits others, and is a detriment to the meddler.

How well does the writer recall an early friendly foreword from her teacher, “One of the first things a Christian Scientist must learn is to mind his own business”! Surely an indispensable rule, this, for the establishment of the brotherhood of man and the working out of life’s problems! Whosoever abides by it will find all-sufficient employment in attending to the business that is strictly his own; and this, if based on divine Principle, will be the Father’s business. In this line of light he will be so lifted up from the earth—earthliness—that he will draw to him those who see this light and would be guided out of darkness by it.

Only through correct spiritual understanding, right motives, and in a compassionate, loving, Christian spirit can the most effectual rebuke be given. Our Saviour was the exemplification of goodness, and thereby became the rebuke of evil; and he said, “I am the way,” and, “Follow me.” So the fitness of his followers to do their work lies in the ability to do it in his way. He rejected the myths claiming to make him mortal, and proved the fact of man’s divine sonship. This is what the genuine Christian Scientist is daily doing for himself, and helping others to do. He recognizes his brother’s spiritual identity, as well as his own, and loves that real identity accordingly. He knows that personality is not the real man, and that so to regard it would be to assign to its counterfeit qualities suppositional intelligence, activity, law, and power; to fasten the fetters of error more rigidly upon its victim; and, usually, to arouse resistance and resentment, thus injuring those whom he wishes to bless. But to know that God is Mind, and thus realize the nonintelligence of error,—that it is neither person nor a faculty of Mind,—is to annul its claims to reality.

He who has a clear sense that all evil is error of belief entertains no aversion, irritation, or anger towards his fellow-men. On the contrary, he is impelled by a pitiful patience for the sinner and an ever increasing affection for the “brother whom he hath seen.” Thus he rises to love the Father, “whom he hath not seen.” Such is the spirit which uncovers and destroys error, for scientific understanding and love comprehend error’s nothingness; and this comprehension disarms error. The old adage, “Example is better than precept,” is eternally true. An upright, loving Christian character is above reproach, and its softening power mightier than any words can be. It wins the sinner to condemn evil, believe in God, and love goodness.

Undoubtedly the happiest man on earth to-day is the sincere follower of Christ in Christian Science. Observing the tempest-tossed conditions of evil, he knows evil is being driven to its extinction by the irresistible unfoldment of the truth in the hearts and lives of the hosts who seek after God “as the hart panteth after the water brooks.” The Master said he had overcome the world; and he bade his followers do the same. He had thwarted its every attempt to prevent or destroy his teachings, and he declared that his words should never pass away, that he had come to fulfill the law, and that every jot and tittle would be fulfilled. That fulfillment is taking place; and the discovery and demonstration of Christian Science is destined to finish the stupendous task, according to Jesus’ prophecy that “the Spirit of truth” would come and lead into all truth.