Innocence/ Naiveté - What's the difference?

There are no embryonic creations of the Soul that is God. Soul's creation is mature, complete and strong. And innocent. Innocence is an attribute of Soul. Entirely spiritual, innocence is a strength, a force of good, that we all include as part of our spiritual identity.

Because innocence is inherent, it can't be lost. True innocence is tangible and spiritual and powerful. It is a state of purity that draws one naturally to appreciate - to love and to do - good.

Innocence includes obedience to good - an intelligent , intuitive obedience that shouldn't be confused with naiveté. Innocence is never naive.

Godfrey John, a beloved practitioner, teacher and lecturer of Christian Science once published a poem that was based on a true story of a little girl in South Africa. ("Nice Snake", October 23,1991, Christian Science Monitor)  The child sat on her porch eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast when a boa constrictor coiled itself around the chair and the child. She innocently offered the snake a spoonful of her cereal and called him a nice snake.

---

He ate, and then patiently let her feed herself and the snake in turns. Suddenly, the snake shoved his face into the bowl.  The girl tapped his head with the spoon, saying, "Naughty, naughty! Wait your turn." The snake pulled up and placed his face against her cheek. Then they continued to alternate sipping their cereal and milk until the bowl was empty. At last - satiated, content, loved - the boa uncoiled from the child and the chair and went on his way. (NB - Many years ago Mr. John gave me permission to share the story in my lecture work which I still do from time to time.)

Innocence is strong. It carries the full weight and authority of goodness, of pure affection. Innocence is bravely brave. It is "eyes wide open" to the real and good. It protects from aggression, reforms the perpetrator, turns an enemy into a breakfast companion. Innocence is fearless and calm. It yields to good as the all, the only power.

The child in this story was innocent, but not naive. Naiveté is the opposite of innocence. While innocence yields all control to good, and only good, naiveté gives up control to whatever influence may haphazardly pass by - good or bad. Innocence is stable, naiveté is unstable. Innocence is alert and aware, naiveté is blind. Naiveté is a type of ignorance of present good, while innocence is a force for good springing from natural intelligence.

Christian Science discoverer Mary Baker Eddy wrote, "Honesty is spiritual power. Dishonesty is human weakness which forfeits divine help." (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, 416)  We can equally say that innocence is spiritual power. Naiveté is human weakness which forfeits the divine help.

---

Understanding the control which Love held over all, Daniel felt safe in the lions’ den, and Paul proved the viper to be harmless. All of God’s creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible. A realization of this grand verity was a source of strength to the ancient worthies. It supports Christian healing, and enables its possessor to emulate the example of Jesus. “And God saw that it was good.”  EDDY, Science and Health, 514

Soul is the Father and Mother of the universe. We are never separated from the spiritual attributes of Soul that our Creator reflects in us. Not even for an instant. Soul's creation never loses his spirituality, his authority over evil - his innocence.

Innocence is spiritual power. It is expressed by the conscious intelligence that will tap on the head of a serpent and demand that good, and only good, be represented in him. Innocence is invulnerable because he who is innocent understands that good, and only good, is in control.

Reclaim your innocence and the innocence of those around you. Reject naiveté as an influence on you or the children of the world. There is no embryonic creation of the Soul that is God. Every one of God's children is mature, complete, strong and innocent.

---

The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra. And another child will put his hand in the hole of a snake whose bite is poison. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain. For the earth will be as full of much learning from the Lord as the seas are full of water.  ISAIAH 11

---

Like it? Please share it. Let's work together to spread the love.
Also, if you aren't yet a subscriber and want to be,
it's easy to sign up in the sidebar.

You may also wish to:
VISIT MY WEBSITE HOME PAGE
FIND LINKS TO MY OTHER PUBLISHED CONTENT
LISTEN TO A COLLECTION OF MY "YOUR DAILY LIFT" 2-MINUTE PODCASTS