We always want to take the high road. But let’s face it—sometimes the actions of another person or group seem to affect us adversely. We might find ourselves thinking if only we were more articulate or had more power and influence on our side, then what we want would prevail. Or we might even be tempted to strike back. If we entertain either of these thoughts, we open the door to human will.
Mary Baker Eddy writes: “Human will is an animal propensity, not a faculty of Soul. Hence it cannot govern man aright. … Will—blind, stubborn, and headlong—cooperates with appetite and passion. From this cooperation arises its evil” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 490). Her strong statement is clear.
The Bible provides an example of what could have happened if human will had been allowed to govern. The Gospel of Luke records that Jesus requested lodging for himself and his disciples in a Samaritan village (see Luke 9:51–56). He’d been in Samaritan villages before, but this one refused him hospitality. Two of his disciples, James and John, took great offense at this disrespect. Didn’t Jesus’ life and work deserve better treatment from those Samaritans? Was it right that the town so unkindly reward Jesus’ unselfish love, his demonstrated willingness to heal and save? It would be easy to sympathize with these two loyal men.
