V. The Ego’s Use of Guilt, P 1
1 Perhaps some of our concepts will become clearer and more personally meaningful if the ego’s use of guilt is clarified. The ego has a purpose, just as the Holy Spirit has. The ego’s purpose is fear, because only the fearful can be egotistic. The ego’s logic is as impeccable as that of the Holy Spirit, because your mind has the means at its disposal to side with Heaven or earth, as it elects. But again, remember that both are in you.
Journal
I am reminded that my mind has both ego and Holy Spirit in it. I choose which I will believe, and I do this in every moment. I am always choosing one or the other. When I choose ego, I choose fear. This is all the ego has to offer. I may not realize it is fear I am choosing. In fact, I may think I am choosing protection. I may think I am choosing salvation.
Here is an example I have noticed in the past. I would notice that once again my clothes were getting too tight and I would be upset. The ego would offer me the thought that it is not fair that I eat much less than many people and yet I get fat and they don’t. I liked that thought. It helped me to feel like an innocent victim of random genes, so it seemed to make me feel better, less culpable. But in choosing to believe that ego thought I was actually making myself feel weak. I was imprisoning my will, and denying my divinity. I caused myself to feel helpless and that feels frightening. So the ego’s solution was fear.
I’ve learned to be vigilant for ego thinking. When I am tempted to accept the ego solution, I remember where it is going to inevitably lead me. I turn to the truth which is also in my mind. I remember that I am never the victim of the world I see. I remember that my thoughts are powerful. I remember that I but do this to myself.
When the ego suggests that I got a cold from a co-worker, I listen to Spirit instead and remember that I gave myself a cold. If someone gave it to me I would be helpless to protect myself and so again, the ego offers me only fear. If I accept responsibility for the effects of my thoughts, I can then change my mind and have different effects. This is genuinely empowering and will not lead to fear. What comes from my right minded thinking comes from God and there is no fear in God.