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Effective denial
Facing up to our faults is a necessary step in proving that the man of God's creating is truly sinless.
When I was a young boy, I fell in love with a toy airplane belonging to my next-door neighbor. And I pocketed it. I told myself that he had many toys and that I loved this airplane so much more than he did that my action was justified. When my mother asked me about it, I lied. I even refused to admit to myself that I had broken the commandment "Thou shalt not steal" (Ex. 20:15). Eventually, my conscience (fighting an uphill battle all the way) got the better of me, and I returned the airplane.
This tendency to justify or cover up our sins is an adult tendency, too. It takes such forms as excuses, rationalizations, omissions, and little white lies. But the teachings of our master, Christ Jesus, declare such weakness to be contrary to divine law. A failure to be honest with ourselves prevents the self-knowledge so essential to spiritual progress.

January 31, 1994 issue
View Issue-
from the Editors
The Editors
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Business and God's mercy
Beulah M. Roegge
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The boundless shepherding of the pastor
Marian C. English
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Careers and humility
J. Thomas Black
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FROM HAND TO HAND
L. R.
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Effective denial
Herb Huebsch
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Science and Health: an effective physician
Richard C. Bergenheim
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Why is there a Christian Science Reading Room in the community?
Barbara M. Vining
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Ashley makes some friends
Deanna J. Elsom
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I Can never express enough gratitude for a children's Bible...
Louise Kyes Grover
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Christian Science came into my life when I was a young wife...
Sherry Lynn Schnell
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As a student of Christian Science, I began my design company...
Patricia Diane Packard with contributions from Duane L. Packard
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Over a year ago something happened to help me understand...
Mary Alice Rose