A useful, healing distinction is made by Christian Science between superficial human emotion and genuine inspiration. Inspiration has a spiritual source, divine Soul. Mortal emotion arises, in human belief, from the material senses, from what they feel, see, and believe. Absolutely speaking, it has no actual roots.
One can confidently come to Christian Science expecting pure inspiration, inspiration of the deepest and most satisfying kind. It is the result of the Science of Life, understood and felt. Emotion on the other hand can be an effect of religion based on mortal thinking and a finite sense of God and man. It doesn't help spiritual growth to mistake mortal excitement for inspiration—far from it. Stirred-up mortal feelings can let us down. Their results are neither lasting nor healing. After the fireworks are over, all that is left is burned-out remnants.
Christian Science shows us how to be alert to the nature of our feelings and to detect their source. And it aids in getting increasing control over sensations that would upset our poise and judgment. Mary Baker Eddy, our Leader, makes this sharp observation in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: "Excite the organ of veneration or religious faith, and the individual manifests profound adoration. Excite the opposite development, and he blasphemes. These effects, however, do not proceed from Christianity, nor are they spiritual phenomena, for both arise from mortal belief." Science and Health, p. 88;
