THE Bible contains many promises of good "to him that overcometh." While these promises are definite, positive, and available for all, they are also conditional. In each instance the conditions are clearly stated and altogether possible to comply with. In Revelation we read, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
Overcoming implies and includes right mental activity, the rejection and nullification of the varied suggestions of error presented to human thought. There must be the awakening to the need for overcoming conditions which are wrong, and that abiding faith in God which makes the overcoming possible.
The process of overcoming calls for courage to resist evil and understanding to destroy it. It requires the God-given ability to discern between good and evil. This spiritual faculty is our heaven-bestowed possession, and it can be intelligently utilized. Jacob demonstrated this when he wrestled with and overcame the material sense which was tempting him. In commenting on this experience, Mrs. Eddy states in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 309): "The result of Jacob's struggle thus appeared. He had conquered material error with the understanding of Spirit and of spiritual power." And she says further, "He was to become the father of those, who through earnest striving followed his demonstration of the power of Spirit over the material senses; and the children of earth who followed his example were to be called the children of Israel, until the Messiah should rename them." In all her writings Mrs. Eddy has clearly set forth the fact that it is the material senses and their false testimony which must be overcome.
