Editorial June 29, 1929 Issue

Conversation in Heaven

Albert F. Gilmore

In his epistle to the Philippians, Paul draws a sharp contrast between the materially-minded—those absorbed in the gratification of the physical senses—and those who, like himself, were striving to rise out of the bondage of matter into the realm of Spirit, where Christ Jesus had shown the way. Of the latter group he asserted, "Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." The word translated "conversation" in the King James Version, TrokLTeva, in the Greek has a significance more accurately translated "citizenship"; for the root of the word is which means "city." Accordingly, the modern commentators translate the word "citizenship," a rendition which takes nothing from the significance of the passage, but rather clarifies it.

Paul's meaning, apparently, was that the followers of Christ Jesus in Philippi, including himself, were striving for that spiritualization of thought which would enable them to abide in spiritual consciousness; to become habitually aware of God's presence; to be conscious only of spiritual truth, and thus to think and speak only of heavenly, that is, spiritual things. Whichever of the meanings of the word be accepted, the significance of the message is unmistakable. Where do we dwell? Upon what are our thoughts centered? Of what do we speak? There is no better index of one's thoughts than his general conversation. While one may temporarily simulate, speaking contrary to his conviction, yet in the long run his conversation will disclose his habits of thought. Thought, then, should be carefully guarded in order to insure right conversation.

Christian Scientists are taught the deep significance of right thinking. Thought determines the course of our lives. It would be impossible to hold thought habitually to what Mrs. Eddy calls "the enduring, the good, and the true" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 261) without these qualities becoming expressed in some measure at least in our lives. On the contrary, it would be equally impossible to hold in thought the low, the sordid, the mean, the false, and progress Spiritward. Sinful thinking finds expression in sinful and unholy living. When our Leader admonished her students to stand guard at the portals of thought, she was demanding of them a course which would also determine their conversation. Unless evil be cherished in thought, it does not color conversation.

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