IN the study of Christian Science fresh inspiration may be attained through prayerful reexamination of Biblical passages or of statements of Truth from the writings of Mrs. Eddy. One passage on which increasing spiritual understanding throws new light is the tenth commandment (Ex. 20:17), "Thou shalt not covet."
Throughout the Holy Scriptures there are warnings of the evil effects of the false trait of covetousness or envy. Luke relates that Christ Jesus once said (12:15), "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Mrs. Eddy brings this rule to present-day application, linking covetousness or envy with all manner of moral evils, including resentment, superstition, hate, and lust. She states in Science and Health (p.419), "Lurking error, lust, envy, revenge, malice, or hate will perpetuate or even create the belief in disease." She adds, "Your true course is to destroy the foe, and leave the field to God, Life, Truth, and Love, remembering that God and His ideas alone are real and harmonious."
An earnest Christian Scientist, having acknowledged the validity of these instructions, may in all sincerity believe himself to be obedient to them in letter and in spirit. Desire for material possessions or a life of ease in matter may have been replaced with prayer for increased spiritual understanding. The more obvious forms of envy and jealousy may have been destroyed. Yet there may be need for further unfoldment. Vague restlessness, dissatisfaction with one's progress, a tendency to criticize, delay in accomplishing healing— these may often have their basis in a limited comprehension of the spiritual import of the tenth commandment.
