T. 31. VII. 12 – 15. Jesus: “Whatever ‘form’ temptation seems to take, it always but reflects a wish to be a self that you are not. And from that wish a concept rises, teaching that you are the thing you wish to be! It will remain your concept of yourself until the wish that fathered it no longer is held dear. But while you cherish it, you will behold your brother also in the likeness of this separate self, whose image has that idle wish begot of you.
Your present seeing then but represents ‘a wish,’ because it has no power to create! Yet what you think you are can look with love or look with hate, depending only on the simple choice of whether you would join with what you see, or keep yourself apart and separate.
The savior’s vision is as innocent of what your brother is, as it is free of any judgment made upon yourself. It sees no past in anyone at all. And thus it serves a wholly open mind, unclouded by old concepts, and prepared to look on only what the present holds. It cannot judge because it does not know. Recognizing that it does not know, the savior in you merely asks, ‘What is the meaning of what I behold?’ Then is the answer given, and the door held open for the face of Christ to shine upon the one who asks in innocence to see beyond the veil of old ideas and ancient concepts, held so long and dear against the vision of the Christ in you.
Be vigilant against temptation then, remembering that it is but a wish, insane and meaningless, to make yourself a thing that you are not! And think as well upon the thing that it would have you be instead of what you are! It is a thing of madness, pain and death; a thing of treachery and black despair, of failing dreams and no remaining hope except to die, and thereby end the dream of fear. This is temptation; nothing more than this. Can this be difficult to choose against?
Consider what temptation is, and see the real alternatives you choose between. There are but two. Be not deceived by what appears as many choices. There is hell or Heaven, and of these two, you choose but one!
Let not be hidden from the world, the light which has been given unto you! The world needs the light, for it is dark indeed, and men despair because the savior’s vision is withheld from them, and what they see is only death. Yet their savior stands next to them, unknowing and unknown, beholding them with eyes unopened. And they cannot see until he looks on them with seeing eyes, and offers them forgiveness with his own.
Can you be tempted not to listen as the Father says, ‘Release my Son!’, when you learn that it is you for whom He asks release? And what but this is what this course would teach? And what but this is there for you to learn?”