What Are We Accepting?

ALICE WILT STRAUSS

Are we allowing ourselves to be "conformed to this world" with its false beliefs and opinions? Paul writes, "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."^{Rom. 12:2;}

What is acceptable to God? Only that which is real, good, pure, harmonious, and eternal. Our heavenly Father, divine Love, already has provided for each of His children all that is acceptable unto Him—health, joy, peace, security, abundant supply. Perfect Mind knows only perfection, and man, Mind's reflection, can know only what Mind knows. Man cannot know a lie; taking our stand on this basis, we can refuse to be influenced by aggressive mental suggestion into accepting a lie.

J. B. Phillips paraphrases Paul's statement "Be not conformed to this world" in these words: "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould."^{The New Testament in Modern English (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1972);} How can we avoid being squeezed into the world's mold, the world's way of thinking? Christian Science shows us the way. Through dedicated study of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, we are alerted to the ways in which mortal, material thinking would make us conform to its limited, imperfect forms. When confronted with false, evil suggestions, we can heed Mrs. Eddy's instructions, "Be watchful, sober, and vigilant" ^{Science and Health, p. 324;} and refuse to accept the suggestions.