Series 2 - Lesson 5 - Annotation 6
Are specific denials always necessary?
6. Specific denials are not always necessary, because at times man may not be aware of the line of thinking that has brought him to the error state of mind and the undesirable manifestation that he is faced with at that particular moment. In such cases, the prayer of the Psalmist, "Cleanse thou me from secret faults" (Psalms 19:12 A.V.), serves as an effective, sweeping denial.
John the Baptist came before Jesus Christ and prepared the way for His coming. Since the work of John is symbolic of denial, we can see that denials are frequently necessary to prepare the way for the infilling of the good we are seeking. The ministry of Jesus represents affirmation or appropriation of the God-ideas that we must use in order to unfold spiritually and grow "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52) even as the child Jesus did.
Even to turn one's thought away from an erroneous belief or condition constitutes a denial (without a specific word of denial being spoken), for denial, like affirmation, is primarily an attitude of mind.
We do not plant a new garden over the rubbish of last year's growth, neither do we keep our outgrown garments in a closet and continue to add new clothing. Often the four denials learned in Lessons in Truth are all that is necessary to cleanse the mind of erroneous or limited beliefs, in preparation for the infilling of new ideas. However, in cases where specific denials seem necessary in order to handle such beliefs and the resultant appearances of illness, poverty, or inharmony of any kind, we should be all means use specific denials, spoken either silently or audibly according to the need or circumstance.
"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work" (II Tim. 2:21).
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Preceding Entry: What is the one true standard of thinking?
Following Entry: Why is it Important to make the right use of the power of the mind to deny and to affirm?
