The Bible emphasizes the necessity of getting understanding. We are told (Prov. 4:7), "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Mary Baker Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 536), "The divine understanding reigns, is all, and there is no other consciousness." Understanding in an academic sense is not sufficient. When striving to understand anything correctly one must be governed by divine Mind and accept its testimony.
Spiritual understanding enables one to discern the difference between Spirit and matter; the real and unreal; good and evil; Truth and error. Spiritual understanding truly separates belief from divine reality. In order to demonstrate this practical understanding there must first be faith in God. Faith is that which impels trust in, and expectancy of, our Father's care for us; an absolute confidence in His presence and supreme power. Vicissitudes afford an opportunity to exercise faith in the Supreme Being. As we express faith instead of fear, our understanding is strengthened, our trust in His love increases, and we feel His care and guidance.
Each day we should establish in our consciousness the fact that God is with us, for He is All, and that He causes us to express Him in existence, intelligence, substance, holiness, reality, and love. We must feel or understand the truth we declare or our declarations are deprived of their full healing power. One way to progress in the understanding of God is to study the seven synonymous terms which Mrs. Eddy gives for Him in Science and Health (p. 465), namely Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. These seven names, which indicate the nature of God, enlightened the consciousness of Mrs. Eddy. They will do the same for us.
