When making a critical decision, how often have you acted on the motto of, “If it feels good, then do it,” and then the results didn’t turn out good at all?
It happens too often. People think they are making a good decision because it “feels good,” to them, and then later learn that their decision was not a good choice.
Unwanted pregnancies out of wedlock, financial decisions based on greed, gluttony, uncontrolled temper, are a few examples of the human mind acting out what “felt good” at the time, only to learn the opposite later.
The important lesson to gain from these experiences is to learn what good really is.
Good is not a sensual pleasure. It’s never the effect of acting on lust, greed, selfish want, or anger. Good is God, the substance of Spirit, and is found in an understanding of spiritual truth. It is felt in spiritual inspiration, not in physical sensation.
The “good” of the human mind, if defined sensually, can be “bad” from a spiritual point of view.
For instance, if one is surveying a banquet of desserts, and an inner craving for sweets argues, “It would feel good to eat a slice of pie, a piece of cake, and a few cookies all at once,” one’s definition of “good,” may be in question. Is it really “good” to consume an inordinate amount of sweets, when a single serving would be enough? And does one genuinely feel “good” after consuming too many sweets? Probably not. The mind’s definition of good, in this instance, is largely sensual, not spiritual, and the effect will not be good in the long run.
Or, if one is harboring resentment toward another person, and decides that it would feel good to release their anger by yelling at that person and telling them how awful they are, is this really “good”? Probably not. It usually leads to further anger and hostility.
Any action motivated by a mortal impulse or sensual want is going to lead to further suffering at some point. Every action motivated by a genuine love of God and desire for spiritual good, will lead to good results.
Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “This conviction, that there is no real pleasure in sin, is one of the most important points in the theology of Christian Science. Arouse the sinner to this new and true view of sin, show him that sin confers no pleasure, and this knowledge strengthens his moral courage and increases his ability to master evil and to love good” (Science and Health, p. 404).
Be clear on what good is, and you’ll make sound decisions that lead to good results.
Important lesson to learn! Thanks Evan
Sallie
Lovely post Evan. Thanks so much. It’s always good to be guided by our spiritual sense and the inspiration of God, rather than depending on the so called subtle, sweet, rosy but harmful pictures drawn by the material senses.
If our actions are motivated by good intentions, by sincerity, for the good of the society, then the result will bring lasting peace, happiness and good fruits. Whereas if our actions are guided by ulterior motives, for the satisfaction of material senses..it may feel good only for a short span and happiness will be shortlived. I am reminded of this citation from Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. “Working and praying with true motives, your father will open up the way”. When God opens up the way, it leads to lasting happiness and permanent peace.
As you taught us in class and MBE explained. Sin is more difficult to cure than sickness because of its attractive nature. Big lesson, and a necessary one for each of us to learn. Thank you, Evan, for today’s post.
So grateful for this reminder.
Loving good, is truly loving God, loving our only Life, Soul, Spirit, Mind. It’s loving purity, health and honesty which is truly loving ourselves, a joy of appreciation.
God gave us spiritual senses with which to see, feel, taste and hear, experiencing beautiful spiritual discoveries.
God never gave those jobs to physical senses.
Physical senses would blind, numb and deafen us to good, to our true selves,the joy of Life. Indulging physical sense cravings is self-imprisonment in an illusion of misery.
Once I found myself severely tempted by the senses with an unbearable craving. I prayed fervently to God to free me, to show me my entirely spiritual nature, my God-reflected goodness, my freedom, Well, God was a living power, right there, for the temptation vanished instantly – poof! I felt a surging, joyous light of life.
So grateful!
I love this. It is much needed right now. Thank you
Thanks, Evan! This is sooooo GOOD! Putting our Will and our Life in God’s Hands each day ensures that we will be guided correctly to what is for our Highest Good and the Highest Good of All Concerned. And….if we make a mistake…..because we are Human….we can always Forgive Ourselves, Make Amends to Another, and Move Forward!
Thanks Evan and all responders. Needed this today.
I love this message Evan. Thank you.
We will never fear to make wrong decisions as we build our trust in good with God.
Thank you Evan for today`s timely SpiritView!
And thank you for all your wonderful spiritual lessons with every new upcoming SpiritView!
I love “God is Good”. And as God is Spirit nothing material or sensual can be good.
What I understand from this SV is that the divinely spiritually Good is the only substance of our being and actually also of our real wanting. And the only real satisfaction we can get, is from that understanding of spiritual Truth. Thats what Evan points out so clearly. But what is that understanding of spiritual Truth; we can find that truth in our textbook, Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. And if we turn to God, Good in prayer, He will show us the answer and what to do rightly and that will lead to good results.
Haa, I love cake and sweets and choclate but it should be moderate, think that would be ok.; but during Christmastime it seems to be a bit more difficult to be moderate, if you like it so much. haha!
Thank you all for your inspired comments!
“Taste and see that the Lord is good…” Ps 34:8 Here’s where our indulgence should be., not in too much holiday sweets, overspending on mindless gifts etc. I’m finding that if I spend more time thinking about God ( our ineffable supreme Love) then I’m not in the midst of materialistic thinking which leads nowhere, then I know I’m on a calm path. A path that bubbles up inside my heart with pure joy.