Series 1 - Lesson 6 - Annotation 9
How may one overcome adverse states of consciousness called "the Devil," "the Adversary," or the Accuser?
9. The "Accuser" is that in man which gives him a sense or feeling of guilt or remorse for his shortcomings; that which convicts him of sin. He feels obligated to do that which is good, but not knowing the saving power of the Christ within, he feels his inability to gain mastery. This hopeless feeling causes him to give way to self-pity and condemnation, two of the worst states of mind that man can have.
Who is it that has power or authority to accuse man? God is the one and only Power in the universe. But God never accuses His dearly beloved son of sin and evil. Anything that is unlike God and seems to have power is fraudulent. We need to make a distinction here between the voice of God within us and what is termed "conscience." When our conscience accuses us of sin and evil it is not the voice of God but of the "Accuser." (See Annotations for Lessons Six and Seven, Lessons in Truth on "conscience.") The overcomer must be steadfast in the knowledge that in his true nature he is the sinless offspring of a perfect Father. In the name of Jesus Christ he must deny both the accuser and the accusation. He must affirm that he does not believe in a mixture of good and evil, but has faith in good only. Thus he casts out the "Accuser" and then proves his divinity in thought, feeling, word, and deed.
"This is the at-one-ment -- 'I am in the Father, and the Father in me' -- and the apprehension of that at-one-ment dissolves forever that inner monitor called accusing conscience" (Keep a True Lent 53).
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Preceding Entry: Explain where the Adversary gets its power.
Following Entry: What is the Christ righteousness?
