Article May 20, 1967 Issue

What We Think and What We Say

C. EARLE ARMSTRONG

We are all responsible for our own thoughts, for what we accept into our thinking. Also we are responsible for the consequences of thought-acceptance. We cannot escape this responsibility. We cannot blame so-called external circumstances, nor can we evade the issue by pointing to the other fellow. Squarely upon us rests the responsibility for our own thinking—good or bad, comforting or disquieting, spiritual or material—and for its resultant happy or unhappy consequences.

Therefore it behooves us to be uncompromising indeed when we weigh the thoughts which come to us seeking acceptance. Since our very success in life depends upon the quality and character of our thinking, we must be alert sentries, tough Christians, as we challenge every thought and accept into consciousness only the good and worthy. A helpful, positive statement in this regard is found in these words by Mrs. Eddy: "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously." ^{Science and Health, p. 392;}

In the Bible we read of a man, "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he."^{Prov. 23:7;} And Christ Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." ^{Matt. 12:34;} What we say stems directly from what we think. Our influence for good, therefore, depends upon our right thinking. The cause—the thought—results in the effect—the spoken word. To control effect, we must control cause.