Has common consent fastened on someone the stigma of mercurial or unpredictable temperament? According to the teachings of Christian Science, man, the spiritual likeness of God, inherits from his heavenly Father only Godlike qualities. What are some of these qualities? Wisdom, steadfastness, and, above all, love come to mind at once. The likeness of the divine cannot in real being express ungodlike traits, such as ignorance, vacillation, and selfishness. These facts of Christian Science when brought to bear on specific false beliefs act as a law of restoration to man's birthright of Soul-controlled, Mind-directed action, to true spiritual spontaneity.
Through his daily study of the Bible and of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, the student of Christian Science learns how to discern between spontaneity, emanating from divine Mind, and the negative impulsions of the material senses. Impulsiveness is sometimes referred to as both good and bad, as prompted by wisdom, or, contrariwise, impelled by unreasoning emotion. It may be more often known by the undesirable company it sometimes keeps, namely self-will.
One dictionary definition of "impulse" reads, "Sudden disposition to perform some act which is not the result of reflection." Steps taken without reflection and as the result of a clamor for quick action usually have to be rectified.
