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The Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount

The Key to Success in Life
by Emmet Fox 1935 192 pages
4.43
3.2K ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Taught Spiritual Truth, Not Theology

The plain fact is that Jesus taught no theology whatever.

Focus on Spirit. Jesus's teaching is fundamentally spiritual and metaphysical, not a system of doctrines or theology. Historical Christianity often got sidetracked by human-invented theological questions that aren't in the Gospels. The Bible, correctly understood with a spiritual key, is a practical guide for soul development and shaping destiny.

Beyond intellect. Traditional theology attempts a purely intellectual explanation of life, which is impossible because man is essentially spiritual and eternal. The world we perceive is just a limited cross-section of the whole truth. Trying to understand the infinite through finite intellectual frameworks leads to absurd and often fearful fables about God.

No "Plan of Salvation". Concepts like original sin, vicarious atonement, or predestination are not taught in the Bible. Jesus taught that we are punished by our own mistakes, not for another's sin, and that everyone has direct access to an all-loving Father-God who offers forgiveness and strength, even "unto seventy times seven."

2. Blessed Are Certain Mental States

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Inner state matters. The Beatitudes are a summary of Christian teaching focused on mental states, not outer actions. Jesus knew that right mental states lead to right external conditions. Unlike other teachers, he gave principles about inner spirit rather than detailed rules for outward conduct.

Meekness is power. "Meekness" in the Bible means emptying personal self-will and preconceived opinions in the search for God. It's a combination of open-mindedness, faith, and willingness to accept God's joyous will. This mental attitude is the "Secret of Dominion," allowing you to govern your outer experience ("inherit the earth").

Mourning leads to comfort. Sorrow and trouble, while not good in themselves, can be blessings if they drive you to seek God and the Truth. Learning by painful experience is a choice, but it compels you to acquire the understanding that overcomes limitations. This mourning leads to "comfort," which is the experience of God's Presence, ending sorrow.

3. Your Thought Creates Your Reality

the whole of our life’s experience is but the outer expression of inner thought.

As within, so without. This is the great law of the universe: what you think in your mind will manifest in your experience. Your body, affairs, home, business – your entire outer world – is a manifestation of your mental states, even those in your subconscious mind.

Choose your thoughts. You have dominion over your thoughts and can choose what to entertain. While breaking old habits of thought is difficult, it's possible. Your life is the result of the thoughts you've chosen to hold, demonstrating perfect justice in the universe – you reap what you sow in your unseen thoughts.

Right thinking is righteousness. "Righteousness" in the Bible means right thinking on all subjects. You have no direct power over outer things because they are consequences. To control circumstances for harmony, you must first control your thoughts. Thinking health, prosperity, love, and good-will attracts those things into your life.

4. Non-Resistance is Spiritual Power

Resist not evil, spiritually understood, is the grand secret of success in life.

Reverse the natural instinct. The old law was "an eye for an eye," but Jesus taught the opposite: resist not evil. This is not weak surrender but "superb spiritual strategy." Antagonizing a situation gives it power; offering mental nonresistance causes it to crumble.

Mental nonresistance. This means refusing to feed your soul-substance (attention, belief) into the undesirable circumstance. Instead of mentally fighting the problem, turn your thought to the Divine Presence. Realize the Truth of Being in the situation or person.

Love your enemies. This teaching is a practical application of non-resistance. Instead of hating, bless and pray for those who seem to harm you. Meeting hatred with Love (the scientific application of God's power) destroys the evil condition and frees both you and the other person. This is the "Royal Christ Road to freedom."

5. Prayer Connects You to the Secret Place

Pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Consciousness is the Secret Place. Your own mentality, your consciousness, is your "Secret Place," the controlling center of your life's "kingdom." It's secret because only you know what goes on there, and it's where you have dominion over your thoughts.

Prayer is realization. Prayer is the means of communion with God and the art of attaining "realization" – an actual sense of God's Presence. This realization is the secret to healing, inspiration, and spiritual development. It's not about vain repetitions but about making yourself receptive to Divine inspiration.

Pray in the present. Scientific prayer adjusts your consciousness, which must be done now. Deal with past or future worries by treating them in the present tense, as the thought of them is present. The best preparation for tomorrow is a serene and harmonious consciousness today.

6. Forgiveness Frees You From Judgment

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

The Great Law. The law of life is that as you think, speak, and act towards others, so will they towards you. Whatever you give out, you get back, often from different people at different times. This is a cosmic law, impersonal and inescapable, like gravity.

Mercy in thought. The true application of this law is in your thoughts. Be merciful in your mental judgments of others. Unkind thoughts, resentment, condemnation, and the desire to punish create an impenetrable barrier to spiritual power and progress.

Forgive to be forgiven. Jesus stresses the absolute necessity of forgiveness for spiritual progress. Holding hard feelings about others prevents your own prayers from having effect and shuts you off from receiving mercy yourself. In freeing others from your condemnation, you free yourself from self-condemnation.

7. Seek Spiritual, Not Material, Treasure

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Material security is an illusion. Understanding that the material plane is objectified thought reveals the folly of focusing on accumulating material possessions. Earthly treasures are vulnerable to loss ("moth and rust," "thieves").

Spiritual understanding is true security. If your consciousness is right, realizing God as the boundless source of supply, you will always be able to demonstrate what you need. Until you realize this, no amount of material wealth can make you truly safe, as channels of supply can fail.

Single eye on God. "If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." The "eye" is spiritual perception, and "single" means recognizing God alone as the only real Cause and Power. Directing your attention steadfastly to God, putting His glory first, fills your entire experience ("body") with light and harmony. You cannot effectively serve both God and "mammon" (material wealth/worldliness).

8. God is Your Loving Father

Our Father.

Foundation of religion. This simple statement is the cornerstone of true religion, establishing God's nature as a loving parent, not a distant tyrant. This sweeps away fearful theological concepts and reveals the truth of man's relationship to God.

Like begets like. If God is Father and man is child, man must partake of God's nature – essentially Divine Spirit, capable of infinite growth. This refutes the idea of man as a hopeless, fallen creature and affirms his potential for perfection as the "image and likeness of God."

Ask and receive. Because God is a loving Father, you are entitled to expect that He will provide everything you need. Ask, seek, and knock with faith and understanding, recognizing God as the sole Source of your good. This is man's charter of freedom, refuting the idea that resignation to inharmony is a virtue.

9. The Golden Rule is the Great Law

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Unity is the reason. This sublime precept, the Golden Rule, reiterates the Great Law (as you mete, it is measured back) and is explained by the metaphysical fact of fundamental unity. Because we are all ultimately one, hurting another is hurting yourself, and helping another is helping yourself.

Brotherhood is unity. The Fatherhood of God compels acceptance of the brotherhood of man, and spiritually, brotherhood is unity. Understanding this truth encompasses all other religious knowledge; it is "the law and the prophets."

Think as you wish to be thought of. In Scientific Christianity, the Golden Rule means: Think about others as you would wish them to think about you. This is a solemn duty and a vital debt of honor, as your thoughts about others inevitably return upon yourself.

10. Truth is Proven by Its Fruits

By their fruits ye shall know them.

The infallible test. Jesus provided a simple, universal test for religious truth: Does it work? Truth always works; it heals the body, purifies the soul, solves difficulties, and brings harmony. False teaching, regardless of presentation or prestige, fails this test.

Demonstration is proof. Teaching that is true proves itself by practical demonstration – healing, overcoming limitations, bringing about positive change. These "fruits" are the visible evidence of inner spiritual understanding.

Test yourself and others. This test applies to teachers, churches, books, and your own spiritual progress. If you are not getting real demonstrations in any area of your life, it indicates you have left the path and are not praying rightly. The outer picture is a gauge of your inner spiritual state.

11. Build Your Life on Spiritual Practice

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his home upon a rock:

Practice is essential. Hearing the truth is not enough; you must do it. Building your life ("home") on the "Rock" (the Christ Truth, the understanding of God) provides a secure foundation that withstands the storms of error, fear, and doubt. Building on anything less ("sand") leads to collapse.

Change your consciousness. The only way to attain harmony, health, prosperity, and peace is by bringing about a radical, permanent change in your own consciousness. This is the "strait gate" that leads to life, though few find it because it requires constant vigilance and breaking old mental habits.

Earn your salvation. Salvation is earned by genuine, consistent hard work on your own consciousness, realizing God's presence and doing His will in all things. Relying on anything less than your own understanding of Truth – institutions, teachers, books, or personal resources – is building on sand and will fail you when tested.

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FAQ

What is "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life" by Emmet Fox about?

  • Spiritual interpretation of Jesus' teachings: The book offers a metaphysical and practical interpretation of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, focusing on how these teachings can be applied to achieve personal transformation and success.
  • Manual for spiritual development: Emmet Fox presents the Sermon as a concise manual for spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of changing one’s thoughts to change one’s life.
  • Focus on practical application: Rather than abstract theology, Fox’s approach is to provide actionable principles for living, healing, and overcoming life’s challenges.
  • Centrality of thought and consciousness: The book teaches that our outer experiences are direct results of our inner thoughts, and that by mastering our thinking, we can master our destiny.

Why should I read "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life" by Emmet Fox?

  • Timeless spiritual wisdom: The book distills the essence of Jesus’ teachings into practical advice for modern readers seeking meaning, peace, and success.
  • Practical self-improvement: Fox’s interpretation provides clear steps for personal transformation, making it valuable for anyone interested in self-help or spiritual growth.
  • Non-dogmatic approach: The book transcends denominational boundaries, focusing on universal spiritual laws rather than religious dogma.
  • Empowerment through thought: Readers learn how to harness the power of their own minds to overcome difficulties and create a more harmonious life.

What are the key takeaways from "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life"?

  • Thoughts shape reality: Our experiences are the direct result of our habitual thoughts; changing our thinking changes our lives.
  • Spiritual laws are universal: Principles like forgiveness, non-judgment, and non-resistance are not just moral ideals but practical laws for success and happiness.
  • Prayer as scientific practice: Prayer is both an art and a science, and when practiced correctly, it brings about real, tangible results.
  • Inner transformation is essential: True change comes from within; outer rituals or observances are secondary to the transformation of consciousness.

How does Emmet Fox interpret the Beatitudes in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life"?

  • Spiritual states, not rules: Fox explains the Beatitudes as descriptions of inner mental states necessary for spiritual progress, rather than external behaviors.
  • Technical meanings of terms: Words like “meek,” “earth,” and “righteousness” are given deeper metaphysical meanings, such as “meekness” being open-mindedness and faith in God’s will.
  • Blueprint for happiness: Each Beatitude is seen as a step toward true happiness and mastery over life’s conditions.
  • Emphasis on mental attitudes: The Beatitudes collectively summarize the spirit of Jesus’ teaching, focusing on qualities like forgiveness, purity of heart, and peacemaking.

What is Emmet Fox’s view on the power of thought and its role in shaping life, as presented in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life"?

  • Thoughts as creative forces: Fox asserts that our thoughts are causative, directly shaping our bodies, circumstances, and experiences.
  • Dominion through consciousness: By mastering our thoughts, we gain dominion over our “earth”—our outer life and conditions.
  • Habitual thinking matters: The book stresses the importance of breaking negative thought habits and consciously choosing harmonious, positive thoughts.
  • Justice and free will: Since we choose our thoughts, we are responsible for our experiences, and there is perfect justice in the universe.

How does Emmet Fox explain the concept of "Resist Not Evil" in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life"?

  • Nonresistance as spiritual strategy: Fox teaches that resisting evil mentally gives it power; instead, we should withdraw our attention and affirm the presence of God.
  • Practical application: When faced with negativity or conflict, the solution is to change our own thoughts, not to fight or retaliate.
  • Healing relationships and situations: By refusing to mentally engage with evil, we dissolve its power and often see outer circumstances improve “like magic.”
  • Foundation for forgiveness: This principle is closely tied to loving one’s enemies and practicing forgiveness as a means of self-liberation.

What is the "Secret Place" and why is it important in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life"?

  • Inner consciousness as the kingdom: The “Secret Place” refers to the private realm of our own thoughts and consciousness, where true change begins.
  • Source of all experience: Fox emphasizes that our outer world is a reflection of our inner mental state; the “Secret Place” is where we shape our destiny.
  • Prayer and meditation: Entering the Secret Place through prayer is the key to receiving guidance, healing, and supply from God.
  • Authenticity over appearances: The book warns against outward show or ritual, stressing that only inner transformation brings real results.

How does Emmet Fox interpret the Lord’s Prayer in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life"?

  • Comprehensive spiritual formula: Fox sees the Lord’s Prayer as a complete outline of Christian metaphysics, covering all aspects of spiritual development.
  • Seven clauses, seven steps: Each clause addresses a key area—God’s nature, our relationship to Him, supply, forgiveness, guidance, and realization of God’s power.
  • Forgiveness as central: The prayer’s turning point is the clause on forgiveness, which Fox calls the “strategic key” to spiritual progress.
  • Daily practice for transformation: Regular, thoughtful use of the Lord’s Prayer is presented as a means to change one’s soul and life.

What is the role of forgiveness in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life" by Emmet Fox?

  • Essential for spiritual progress: Fox teaches that forgiveness is non-negotiable; we cannot receive forgiveness or make spiritual progress without forgiving others.
  • Forgiveness as self-liberation: Holding resentment binds us to those we resent; forgiveness sets both parties free.
  • Practical technique: Fox provides a step-by-step method for forgiving, emphasizing willingness and the release of resentment, not forced liking.
  • Daily practice recommended: He advises practicing general forgiveness daily, issuing a “general amnesty” in prayer to clear the mind and soul.

How does Emmet Fox define and use the concept of "Scientific Prayer" in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life"?

  • Prayer as a scientific method: Fox describes prayer as both an art and a science, with definite laws and predictable results when practiced correctly.
  • Affirmation and denial: Scientific prayer involves affirming the truth of God’s presence and denying the power of evil or limitation.
  • Present-tense focus: Effective prayer is done in the present tense, addressing current thoughts and feelings rather than past or future events.
  • Persistence and openness: Success in prayer requires persistence, openness to divine guidance, and avoidance of rigid formulas or “vain repetitions.”

What is the "Great Law" or "Law of Life" according to Emmet Fox in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life"?

  • Law of retribution and attraction: The Great Law states that as we think, speak, and act toward others, so will others think, speak, and act toward us.
  • Karma and Christ: Fox explains that while this law is universal (similar to karma), it can be transcended through prayer and realization of the Christ within.
  • Golden Rule as summary: The law is encapsulated in the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
  • Practical consequences: Understanding and applying this law leads to happiness, success, and spiritual freedom; ignoring it leads to suffering and limitation.

What are the best quotes from "The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life" by Emmet Fox and what do they mean?

  • “As within, so without.” This encapsulates the book’s core teaching that our outer life is a direct reflection of our inner thoughts and beliefs.
  • “Resist not evil.” Fox interprets this as a call to withdraw mental energy from negativity, allowing it to dissolve rather than fighting it.
  • “You have to demonstrate where you are.” This means spiritual growth is a gradual process; we must work from our current level of understanding.
  • “The forgiveness of others is the vestibule of Heaven.” Forgiveness is presented as the essential gateway to spiritual progress and inner peace.
  • “By their fruits ye shall know them.” The ultimate test of any teaching or practice is its results in one’s life—truth is known by its practical demonstration.

Review Summary

4.43 out of 5
Average of 3.2K ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

The Sermon on the Mount by Emmet Fox receives predominantly positive reviews, with readers praising its fresh perspective on Jesus' teachings and its potential for spiritual growth. Many find it transformative, offering a metaphysical interpretation of Christianity that focuses on inner change and positive thinking. However, some critics argue that Fox's interpretation deviates too far from orthodox Christianity and promotes a prosperity gospel. The book is particularly popular among those in recovery programs and those seeking a non-traditional approach to spirituality.

Your rating:
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About the Author

Emmet Fox was a prominent New Thought spiritual teacher and author in the early 20th century. Born in 1886, he became the minister of the Divine Science church in New York City during the Great Depression. Fox's teachings emphasized the power of positive thinking, prayer, and spiritual interpretation of biblical texts. His work, particularly "The Sermon on the Mount," gained popularity among diverse audiences, including members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Fox's approach to Christianity was metaphysical rather than theological, focusing on personal spiritual growth and the practical application of Jesus' teachings in daily life. His influence extended beyond his lifetime, with his books continuing to inspire readers seeking alternative spiritual perspectives.

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