Article April 21, 1923 Issue

Protection

GENEVIEVE P. OLSON

When we gain the understanding that sin and sickness—all discord—are the result of the suppositional activity of so-called mortal mind, we must not fall into the error of believing that the wrong thinking of others, if unaccepted by us, can harm us. This is a most pernicious belief, and would, if it could, prevent Christianly scientific demonstration. We must learn to search our own thought when inharmony of any sort is manifest, and correct wrong thinking there about ourselves or others. Mrs. Eddy writes in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 224), "It is our pride that makes another's criticism rankle, our self-will that makes another's deed offensive, our egotism that feels hurt by another's self-assertion." And Jesus said, "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."

One says, "I have so much to meet;" and straightway opens thought wide for a multitude of false suggestions to enter. Another expresses indignation at some one else's wrong thinking. Probably it is not the wrong thoughts of his neighbor that harm him, but his own indignation, which is lacking in charity and humility. When we perceive beliefs of fear, anxiety, envy, or hatred expressed, it is our privilege to reverse their seeming reality by perceiving their unreality, and to replace them with the true ideas of Love. Thus, we rise into the clear, calm atmosphere of divine Mind, which knows good alone as real.

The farmer who knows that from his neighbor's field the seeds of tares are blowing, can by diligence keep the undesirable weed from appearing among his crops. On the other hand, if he ignores the fact, the noxious growth will soon grow up and choke his good grain. It is a mockery of the teachings of genuine Christian Science to admit that wrong thoughts have any real activity. Still, we must not fall into the error of overlooking the necessity of denying their seeming power, and thus destroying the false belief. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 234), Mrs. Eddy writes, "Evil thoughts, lusts, and malicious purposes cannot go forth, like wandering pollen, from one human mind to another, finding unsuspected lodgment, if virtue and truth build a strong defence."

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