Mary Baker Eddy makes a comforting and spiritually rousing statement when, in speaking of the man of God's creating, the real and only man there is, she says (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 518): "His birthright is dominion, not subjection. He is lord of the belief in earth and heaven,—himself subordinate alone to his Maker."
Through the study and practice of Christian Science many of us today are beginning to understand the meaning of the word "dominion" in its spiritual significance and how to exercise this dominion in human affairs. We are learning how to intervene actively in the so-called warfare between the Spirit and the flesh and to distinguish between the real and the unreal concept of being, thereby experiencing in ever-increasing measure the true idea of harmony in the minutiae of daily living.
Every earnest student soon realizes not only the necessity but the value of putting into practice the truth that has been revealed through Christian Science. While study of the Scriptures and the works of our beloved Leader is essential to spiritual progress and to the understanding of man's God-given dominion over the earth, this is not all that is needed to enable us to enter the kingdom of heaven. In addition, it is highly important that we be quick to discern the difference between thoughts which are true and enduring, coming to us direct from God, immortal Mind, and those which are the spurious and false suggestions of the carnal mind, claiming to be true, but which are unreal and mortal. Paul wrote (Rom. 8:6), "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
