Develop-Positive-Thinking

"How To Develop Positive Thinking, Right and Wrong Thinking & Their Results..."

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The Greek word metanoeo, which is translated "repent," is thus defined by the lexicographers: "to perceive afterwards, to change one's mind or pur- pose, to change one's opinion, to have another mind."

This does not in the least indicate or require regret, self-condemnation, or any other discordant thinking. Jesus' exhortation was always to change the mind for the better, never to spend time wailing over the past, and it is entirely presumable that the connection of discordant thinking with the true meaning of the word arose from the fact that very often such a "change of mind" has been accompanied by thoughts of grief, regret, and self-condemnation; but the word itself does not convey such a meaning, any more than do the phrases which are used to define it.

When the word was addressed to one who was in the wrong, it set forth in strictly scientific terms the easiest, simplest, and best method of making a change in conduct from wrong to right, for it simply means " change your mind" -- no more, no less.

Likewise the Greek word epistrepho, which is translated "convert," contains within itself no meaning indicating any discordant thinking whatever.

It is defined "to turn, to turn one's self, to turn about, to turn around," etc., and is used figuratively, as we say, "turn from the error of your ways"; or as Peter said in his speech to the people which is reported in Acts iii. 19: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."

"Change your minds and thereby be turned about" exactly expresses the full meaning and brings the two words into such proximity that their mutual relationship clearly appears.

This turning about is the natural and inevitable result of the change of mind indicated by the true meaning of the word " repent."

Both repentance and conversion will be better understood, and their object better accomplished, if the thought about them is limited to the rightful meaning of the words, and the judgment is not warped by self-condemnation, grief, fear, remorse, or any other discordant thinking.

"Develop Positive Thinking Right And Wrong Thinking and their results..."

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There is no more fitting counsel for the close of this book than is contained in the following words from The School of Life, by William R. Alger: --

"And now there is one more lesson for us to learn, the climax of all the rest; namely, to make a personal application to ourselves of everything which we know. Unless we master this lesson, and act on it, the other lessons are virtually useless, and thus robbed of their essential glory. The only living end or aim of everything we experience, of every truth we are taught, is the practical use we make of it for the enrichment of the soul, the attuning of the thoughts and passions, the exaltation of life. . . . When we do what we know, then first does it put on vital lustre and become divinely precious."