Have you ever heard the expression, “For one look at error take ten looks at Truth”? It comes from a statement that William P. McKenzie attributed to Mary Baker Eddy, “For one look at error take ten at the ideal Christ” (“The uplifted ideal,” September 1904, Journal). I take this as a caution, when praying, to be careful not to become focused on the very belief of evil I am attempting to destroy.
It is true that the negation of any power of error to exist, or to have influence over us, is a vital component of scientific metaphysical work. Indeed, in the Christian Science textbook Mrs. Eddy writes, “Denial of the claims of matter is a great step towards the joys of Spirit, towards human freedom and the final triumph over the body” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 242). This negation is based squarely on the understanding of what is always spiritually true. But if we focus our attention too much on error of any kind, even while denying its existence, we may be inadvertently building it up. In Shakespearean language, “Methinks thou dost protest too much.”
In reality, we are the expressions of the divine Mind—spiritual, eternal, and satisfied. We include in our true identity as God’s spiritual idea, man, only that which is right, productive, unselfed, healthy, loving, and pure—only that which is good. We do not include anything apart from that which evidences the nature and allness of God. Thus, it is important to ensure that our understanding and admission of these truths—the allness of God, good, and man’s unalterable perfection—outshines and overcomes any imposing suggestions to the contrary.
