Article November 21, 1925 Issue

Guarding the Door of Thought

HERMAN CAMPBELL BLYE

On page 392 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy, our revered Leader, says: "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously. When the condition is present which you say induces disease, whether it be air, exercise, heredity, contagion, or accident, then perform your office as porter and shut out these unhealthy thoughts and fears. Exclude from mortal mind the offending errors; then the body cannot suffer from them." When we begin to realize the importance of these words, and how much it means to us to do as they say, we shall be more careful of our thoughts and of what we allow to remain there—what we hold to as real and true. Paul realized the importance of thinking only good thoughts when he wrote, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; ... think on these things." Think on these things, and refuse admittance into thought of their seeming opposites.

True consciousness is always harmonious; for divine Mind, the source of true consciousness, is harmony's selfhood. Moreover, we only seem to be inharmonious when we admit into our mental home discordant suggestions; and we suffer from these suggestions of error in proportion as they are admitted in belief, and just as long as they are given a place in thought. If we would always guard the door of thought, not admitting suggestions of anything unlike God, divine Mind, we should never even seem to be other than as God made man, "his own image," possessing nothing unlike Him.

It is only that which seems to be present to thought, with which we must contend. It will be possible, finally, for us to guard our mental realm so closely, to keep our thought so filled with good, that the arguments of error will not even seem to be present—not even as a temptation to believe that there is something besides God, good. But until we have reached the point of spiritual understanding which enables us to do this, it requires constant watching of our thoughts to reject the error and to hold fast the good. Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 495): "When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought." We must blot out all suggestions of error, whether of sin or of sickness, and thus avoid the suffering that would result if these erroneous beliefs were admitted into consciousness. It is usually much easier to free ourselves from the arguments of error when we are first tempted to listen to them, than it is after they are admitted into thought; for the longer they are allowed to remain, the more real they may appear to be.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Guarding the Door of Thought

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access