Surely one of the most important obligations Christian Scientists have is to pray daily for themselves. And yet if we were to ask a random group of Scientists if they're faithful about this work, many might admit they don't do it—though they know they should face up to the need of handling aggressive mental suggestion on a regular basis.
Perhaps we're not really convinced of the necessity of defending ourselves daily. One of the reasons for this laxity may be that we have the impression we're supposed to store up spiritual truths to be used only when we have a problem. This is like a savings account approach—adding to a reserve of metaphysical statements that can be drawn on in an emergency. When there's a need, we may almost think that by denying error and reciting some of these statements the problem will be solved. But too often our declarations are ineffective because, while we've learned some of the rules of divine Science, we haven't enriched ourselves by daily developing the capacity to reason from these rules—to deeply ponder them and then apply them practically in day-to-day life.
Taking statements of truth and then learning how to reason logically and scientifically from these spiritual premises and live by them—isn't this the only way to ensure continuing spiritual growth? And isn't this the only way to consistently silence evil suggestions and destroy them? However, it requires regular, persistent effort not only to learn the rules but, more importantly, to learn how to reason from the premises of Science and then understand the practical application of the rules.
