In the Christian Science textbook, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, challenges the reader with this statement: “Are thoughts divine or human? That is the important question” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 462). This statement alerts us to the ongoing need to be aware of the thoughts we entertain—to discern their source and nature. Divine thoughts, originating in God, partake of His nature as Truth and Love. They are good, comforting, wise, and peaceful. As the Bible says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Yet, throughout our day, we may become aware of ungodlike suggestions or sensory stimuli that would deflect or reroute our thought away from God, or Truth, and deceive us into accepting a counterfeit influence. The Bible identifies this counterfeit as “the carnal mind,” which is “enmity against God” (Romans 8:7).
This so-called mind would claim to be able to counteract our spiritual intuition and control us wrongfully. It would have us accept fearful suggestions of discord and suffering as our experience. Hence the importance of correctly identifying and addressing incoming thoughts according to this divine standard: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). This instruction, faithfully practiced, strengthens our ability to allow only Godlike thoughts into our mental home, while defusing and rejecting unlawful impostors.
