The student of Christian Science learns early in his study the importance of spiritual-mindedness. He prays to heed St. Paul's words "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."Phil. 2:5.
How does one realize that he has this true consciousness? By learning to express the qualities that characterize it. Christly thoughts express the nature of God, the one true Mind. Christ Jesus' teaching and healing works gave proof that he consciously reflected the divine Mind, God. The Master's followers, too, can prove the presence and power of divine Mind, but dedicated attention to the character and tendency of one's thinking is needed, for only by purification and spiritualization of individual consciousness can God's thoughts be discerned.
A review of one's thoughts can reveal their direction and quality. But Christian examination of thought is not an intellectual exercise. Nor is it a self-condemnatory muckraking. It is motivated by prayer, that human yearning for growth Spiritward. It is based on reverence for Truth and a deep desire to reflect this Truth in thought and action. Such prayer leads one to recognize and destroy mortal thoughts and desires through the power of Truth. Consciousness is truly purged of material-mindedness through the Christ—God's idea in action. This action corrects human misconceptions and replaces them with divine facts.
