The Eighth Commandment – Q&A #2

The Eighth Commandment
“Thou shalt not steal”

Question: Is it possible for us, in belief, to steal from God, or from ourselves?

Answer: Whenever we welcome in the suggestions and evil beliefs of mortal mind, we have allowed those false beliefs to steal the place that God’s ideas should rightfully hold in our thought:

“Falsehood, envy, hypocrisy, malice, hate, revenge, and so forth, steal away the treasures of Truth.” (S&H 241)

“A material sense of life robs God, by declaring that not He alone is Life, but that something else also is life, — thus affirming the existence and rulership of more gods than one.” (Un. 38)

We can protect ourselves by learning what true treasures are:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” (Matthew 6)

God gives to each of His children everything they need. There is no reason to steal, or to fear that someone can steal anything worthwhile from you:

“God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment.” (Mis. 307)

Practice: What do you think heavenly treasures might be? Go on a “treasure hunt” today, and try to see how many treasures of goodness and love you can uncover and claim as your own.

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(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume One: The Ten Commandments”
Copyright 2001)

 

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The Eighth Commandment – Q&A #1

The Eighth Commandment
“Thou shalt not steal”

Question: What is “stealing”?

Answer: Taking something that does not belong to you, on purpose, is stealing. Sometimes you might accidentally walk off with something that does not belong to you, but that is not stealing. It is stealing if you know that you are taking something, and you are doing it
secretly, or by trickery, or maybe even bullying someone into handing something over that
is not yours to take. Robbery is stealing by using force or violence. Both are forbidden by God.

We only hurt ourselves when we attempt to steal or rob from others. The Bible tells us:

“The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them.” (Proverbs 21)

There are many ways to steal. Sometimes, we may not even realize we are doing it. At first, it is enough to know that you should not steal toys or money from your family and friends, and you should not steal an extra cookie if your mother says “no more.” However, as you grow, you will see that mortal mind may tempt you to steal a good person’s reputation, or steal from the government by cheating on taxes, or steal opportunities, positions, or a place in line, for example.

But, always, mortal mind and the belief of fear will tempt you to steal from God, and to rob yourself of what God has given to you as His beloved child. We must be alert to this kind of stealing, which is discussed in another lesson.

Practice: Can you think of other examples of stealing? Talk with your parents about shop- lifting, and other types of stealing that kids sometimes do. Why is it wrong to steal from stores?

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(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume One: The Ten Commandments”
Copyright 2001)

 

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The Eighth Commandment – For Young Children

The Eighth Commandment
“Thou shalt not steal.”

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT – “Thou shalt not steal”

means

that we should not take something that does not belong to us when we do not have
permission to do so. We do not take things secretly or by tricking others. We do not
steal by charm or sweet talk. We must learn that stealing from others is always wrong,
and does not bring us happiness. Stealing is like trying to carry off water in a cup full of holes.

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT – “Thou shalt not steal”

helps us

become truly rich with treasures that no one can take away. Why? Because, when we choose not to steal from other people, and turn to God for help, we learn that God has already given us everything we could possibly need. He made us whole and good. We are individual
expressions of God, and nothing can be added to our individuality, and nothing can be taken away. No thief can steal what God gives us, and we cannot rob others of their God-given good. We only rob ourselves if we try to steal from others. Why be poor, and feel in need of stealing, when we can be rich with the treasures of Truth and Love?!

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume One: The Ten Commandments”
Copyright 2001)

To print out the image below, which is from the original book, click on the image and save to your computer. .

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Teaching Children the Eighth Commandment
The Eighth Commandment – a Christian Science Perspective
Questions and Answers on Christian Science
Teaching the Ten Commandments
Introducing Children to the Concept of God
Welcome – About this blog and book

List of all pages and lessons from Volume One: The Ten Commandments

The complete book of First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume One: The Ten Commandments in its original format is now available for purchase as a downloadable file at The Bookmark online.  Visit my author’s page at https://thebookmark.com/vicki-jones-cole-2.

 

“And lead us not into temptation . . . ” – Q&A #18

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
And God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.

Question: Why is Mary Baker Eddy called “Leader”?

Answer: Mary Baker Eddy is known as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science
because of her great achievement in bringing to the world the scientific understanding
of God. She wrote and published “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” to explain Christian Science to others. She had hoped that other churches would embrace this
discovery. When they did not, she saw that her own church was necessary to protect and firmly establish this new idea.

The great love and self-sacrifice of Mrs. Eddy in guiding her church’s early steps, was seen by others as pure motherhood, and, so, those close to her called her Mother, although this was not her wish (see My. 302). But Love is also Leader, and Mrs. Eddy was prepared to lead,
which was rare for a woman in her time.  In 1903, Mrs. Eddy requested a change, and it appeared as a Manual By-law, which reads in part:

“it is the duty of Christian Scientists to drop the word mother and to substitute Leader, already
used in our periodicals.” (Man. 64:24)

Mrs. Eddy was Leader, but not a dictator. She expected her followers to do their own
thinking. She once wrote:

“Lean not too much on your Leader. Trust God to direct your steps. Accept my counsel and teachings only as they include the spirit and the letter of the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the teachings and example of Christ Jesus.” (My 129:28-32) 

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(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

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“And lead us not into temptation . . . ” – Q&A #17

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
And God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.

Question: What is “Love” and how does it help deliver us from evil.

Answer: Love, with a capital “L,” is a name for God, which represents the mothering sense of our divine Parent. Love is also Mary Baker Eddy’s spiritually scientific name for the Biblical terms “Holy Ghost” or “Comforter.” She also closely connects Love with Principle:

“Love, the divine Principle, is the Father and Mother of the universe, including man.” (S&H 256:7-8)

Love leads us away from hate, fear, and sin. Just as our dear earthly mothers teach and guide their children as they grow up, Love leads us into our rightful sense of who we are, even though the lessons may not seem easy.

“Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way.” (S&H 454:18-19)

“Love is not hasty to deliver us from temptation, for Love means that we shall be tried and
purified.” (S&H 22:20-22)

“Remember, thou canst be brought into no condition, be it ever so severe, where Love has not been before thee and where its tender lesson is not awaiting thee. Therefore despair not nor murmur, for that which seeketh to save, to heal, and to deliver, will guide thee, if thou seekest this guidance.” (My 149:31)

We see from the above citations that Love leads and delivers us from the temptations of evil. We must follow Love.

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

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“And lead us not into temptation . . . ” – Q&A #16

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
And God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.

Question: How does Christian Science help deliver us from evil?

Answer: Christian Science is the discovery of the laws of God which Jesus demonstrated
during his time on earth. Both true Christianity and Christian Science are based on the
divine Science of our divine Principle, God. Unlike mere faith or belief in God, Science
requires us to have understanding in order to prove its laws. This understanding can
deliver us from evil.

“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. Sickness to him is no less a
temptation than is sin, and he heals them both by understanding God’s power over them. The
Christian Scientist knows they are errors of belief, which Truth can and will destroy.” (S&H 450:19)

“The Christian Scientist wisely shapes his course, and is honest and consistent in following the
leadings of divine Mind. He must prove, through living as well as healing and teaching, that Christ’s way is the only one by which mortals are radically saved from sin and sickness.” (S&H 458:25)

“Christ is the ideal Truth, that comes to heal sickness and sin through Christian Science, and
attributes all power to God.” (S&H 473:10-12)

“Christian Science, rightly understood, leads to eternal harmony.” (S&H 338:1) 

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

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“And lead us not into temptation . . . ” – Q&A #15

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
And God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.

Question: Did Jesus have to deal with temptation?

Answer: Yes. We read in Hebrews that Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)

There is a long story in Luke, chapter 4, that tells of Jesus being tempted by the devil for forty days in the wilderness. You might want to study that to see how he handled the suggestions of the devil.

Mary Baker Eddy tells us: “Because of the wondrous glory which God bestowed on His anointed, temptation, sin, sickness, and death had no terror for Jesus.” (S&H 42:21-23) And, “Since Jesus
must have been tempted in all points, he, the immaculate, met and conquered sin in every form.”
(S&H 564:14-16)

While temptation may have been less terrifying to Jesus because he was the Son of God,
he expected his followers to be alert to temptation. To his disciples, who fell asleep in
Gethsemane just when Jesus needed them, he said, “Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:46)

It was the task of Jesus to show us the way out of the dream of mortal beliefs, to deliver us from evil.

“Our Master fully and finally demonstrated divine Science in his victory over death and the grave. Jesus’ deed was for the enlightenment of men and for the salvation of the whole world from sin,
sickness, and death.” (S&H 45:6-10) 

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

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“And lead us not into temptation . . . ” – Q&A #14

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
And God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.

Question: Is there a connection between the temptations of death and sin?

Answer: Mary Baker Eddy does make that connection in numerous places in her writings. She speaks of “those dead in trespasses and sins, satisfied with the  flesh, resting on the basis of matter.”  (S&H 316:29-31).

If you find it hard to believe that man can be delivered from death, perhaps you can start with the simpler task of being delivered from sin. Mrs. Eddy tells us the healing of sin will lead to the overcoming of death:

“The tenor of the Word shows that we shall obtain the victory over death in proportion as we overcome sin.” (S&H 427:19-21)

“Sin brought death, and death will disappear with the disappearance of sin. Man is immortal, and the body cannot die, because matter has no life to surrender. The human concepts named matter, death, disease, sickness, and sin are all that can be destroyed.”  (S&H 426:28)

“The death of a false material sense and of sin, not the death of organic matter, is what reveals man and Life, harmonious, real, and eternal.” (S&H 296:10)

Christ Jesus proved that God can indeed deliver us from death. Mrs. Eddy encourages us to work at this now:

“Man’s privilege at this supreme moment is to prove the words of our Master: ‘If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.’” (S&H 428:6) 

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

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“And lead us not into temptation . . . ” – Q&A #13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
And God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.

Question: Why does Christian Science teach that disease is a temptation of evil?

Answer: Most people consider disease a normal part of human existence. They may try to make themselves better by using medicine or surgery. And they often get well. But this still leaves them able to get sick again. Why? Because they have accepted the belief that they are
something less than what God made them — which is spiritually perfect! Did not Jesus heal the sick without medicine?

Christian Science takes up where Jesus left off, with a teachable system for proving the
perfection of God and man. We are to resist disease just as we resist sin, as Mary Baker Eddy explains:

“Treat a belief in sickness as you would sin, with sudden dismissal.” (S&H 218:24-25)

“Suffer no claim of sin or of sickness to grow upon the thought. Dismiss it with an abiding
conviction that it is illegitimate, because you know that God is no more the author of sickness
than He is of sin.” (S&H 390:20-23)

“Be no more willing to suffer the illusion that you are sick or that some disease is developing in the system, than you are to yield to a sinful temptation on the ground that sin has its necessities.”
(S&H 381:4)

“It is unchristian to believe that pain and sickness are anything but illusions. My proof of this is, that the penalty for believing in their reality is the very pain and disease.” (Mis. 68:12-15)

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

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“And lead us not into temptation . . . ” – Q&A #12

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
And God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.

Question: How does God deliver us from sin?

Answer: It is important to know that God does help us, even though sin is no part of His
creation. Mary Baker Eddy explains:

“Error may say that God can never save man from sin, if He knows and sees it not; but God says,
I am too pure to behold iniquity, and destroy everything that is unlike Myself.” (Un. 18:6)

While knowing that God’s presence is a sure destroyer of any belief in sin, we also have our own work to do, as well, to prove this as a fact in our daily lives:

“Your means of protection and defense from sin are, constant watchfulness and prayer that you
enter not into temptation and are delivered from every claim of evil, till you intelligently know and demonstrate, in Science, that evil has neither prestige, power, nor existence, since God, good, is All-in-all.” (Mis. 115:15)

“We must . . . realize God’s presence, power, and love, in order to be saved from sin. This realization takes away man’s fondness for sin and his pleasure in it; and, lastly, it removes the pain which
accrues to him from it.” (Un. 2:7-11)

“There can be but one Mind, because there is but one God; and if mortals claimed no other Mind and accepted no other, sin would be unknown.” (S&H 469:17-20)

These truths can deliver us from sin!

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

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