Article October 1, 1927 Issue

"As a man thinketh"

GEORGE A. MAGNEY

Christian Science teaches that men are dependent upon God for life and intelligence, and not upon matter or so-called mortal mind. The divine Mind is the origin of all that is real and good, while error and discord of every character are the result of ignorant and erroneous thinking. Not only is it essential that we know the truth about God and His creation, as well as our dependence upon Him for all that is good, but it is equally important that we keep our thoughts and lives in harmony with this truth.

In all her writings Mrs. Eddy has urged with remarkable clearness the necessity for right thinking. She proves conclusively that discord must necessarily follow ignorant and wrong thinking, while peace and happiness will certainly be the reward of all those who habitually strive to think rightly, or in harmony with God's will. She never lost sight of this fact; and its significance is clearly stated when she writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 166), "As a man thinketh, so is he." There is a volume of truth in this brief sentence. One's welfare and destiny are largely dependent upon the character of his thoughts. The evil—the suffering and discord which mortals seem to know—is the result of ignorant and erroneous thinking. Through carelessness and indifference we indulge in harmful and useless thinking, and do not seem to realize that our carelessness may result in sickness or sin. Mortals would doubtless be greatly chagrined were they to learn that in some way all their thoughts had become generally known! We may well be startled when we consider the flood of worse than useless thoughts that continually rushes through the human mind, unless thinking is governed and controlled by Truth and Love. One can readily understand that if everyone would always think and live in perfect harmony with God's will, there could be no such thing as sin or evil. This is equally true of sickness. Mrs. Eddy makes this clear when she writes (Science and Health, p. 270): "Mortals think wickedly; consequently they are wicked. They think sickly thoughts, and so become sick."

It is evident, therefore, that ignorant and sinful thinking is one reason for the discord with which mortals have to contend. This fact need not disturb us, however; for a complete and perfect remedy is ever at hand, always available. If erroneous thinking is the cause of sickness, it must follow that correct thinking is the remedy that should be applied. It is doubtless true that mortals would usually think rightly if they knew how to do so; but it is equally certain that they cannot think rightly unless they know the truth about God and His creation. It is impossible to think correctly about that of which we are ignorant; and because of our ignorance of God and His manifestation we are led to entertain false beliefs relative to sin and evil, sickness and death. Manifestly, these erroneous thoughts cause discord and inharmony. While it may not be in consonance with the prevailing belief, the student of Christian Science has learned that there is no reality in sickness or evil, and that these are naught but false beliefs, erroneous thoughts.

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