7. John 8
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

I was reading a short article about what a chess player had learned while competing professionally, and he said, “Sometimes, the best strategy is letting the opponent find a way to lose.” While reading these verses this morning, it occurred to me that all error can do is lose, and all its tools — many of which are conveniently listed in Galatians 5 : 19-21 — are designed to fail.

We can see the “the works of the flesh” the woman came in with were adultery, fornication, and uncleanness, while her accusers met her with hatred, wrath, and strife, and were ready to murder her for it. They were all finding a way to lose by relying on error.

Meanwhile, it is easy to see that Christ Jesus was filled with the Spirit because of the fruits he showed forth: Longsuffering for the Jews constantly trying to trap him; meekness and faith that God will work through him to heal the situation; love and goodness in his response; and gentleness in his final words to the woman. It was his joy to help them all learn how to succeed by expressing God’s good qualities constantly.

I am so grateful for Christian Science, and all I have learned here, which gives new clarity to each lesson! Thank you!