Neville Goddard on Romans 1:20

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard interprets Romans 1:20 as a statement that God's invisible nature—his eternal power and deity—is perceived through the visible, created world. This act of perception is not physical but spiritual, achieved by developing an inner vision that is independent of the natural senses. This is accomplished by withdrawing attention from the external world and concentrating it on the invisible realm of imagination, thereby allowing one to see and shape the future.

Key Concepts

• God's invisible nature and eternal power are clearly perceived in the things that have been made.
• This "seeing" is a spiritual discernment, completely independent of the physical senses.
• A spiritual outlook is developed by habitually withdrawing attention from the world of sensation and concentrating it on the invisible.
• This principle refutes the idea that one is not entitled to the good they desire, as the created world is evidence of God's power to fulfill promises.
• Because this power is evident, we are "without excuse" for not using it.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard explains that Romans 1:20, which states that the invisible things of God have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, refers to a spiritual form of perception. He teaches that God's invisible nature, specifically his "eternal power and deity," is made evident and can be understood by observing the visible world of created things.

This vision is not accomplished with the physical eyes but through a developed "spiritual outlook." To cultivate this, one must practice withdrawing attention from the external world, which he calls the "region of sensation," and focusing it entirely on the invisible realm within. By controlling one's imagination, a person can learn to penetrate beyond the world of sense and perceive that which is not yet physically present. This faculty for spiritual discernment must be opened and quickened, as without it, the principles of shaping one's future are useless.

Furthermore, Neville uses this scripture to counter religious teachings that suggest a person may not be entitled to the good they desire. He argues that the visible evidence of creation proves that God (which he equates with Human Imagination) has the power to do what has been promised. The fact that God's invisible power is so clearly displayed in the world means that people are "without excuse" for not honoring this power by using it to realize their desires.

Important Quotes

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen.

— Out Of This World

Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made.

— The Only Christianity

Related Concepts

• Imagination: This is the faculty that must be controlled to develop a spiritual outlook. By concentrating on the invisible with imagination, one can reshape the future.
• Desire: The verse is used to support the idea that you are entitled to the good that you desire, as your desire is a promise that God (Imagination) is able to fulfill.
• Consciousness / Senses: The practical application involves withdrawing attention from the "region of sensation" to see beyond the limitations of the physical senses and perceive the invisible reality.

Common Misunderstandings

• Seeing is a physical act: Neville clarifies that the "seeing" mentioned in Romans 1:20 is not done with the natural faculties. It is a spiritual discernment that perceives things independent of the senses.
• We are not entitled to our desires: Neville uses this verse to directly refute the idea that one may not be worthy of the good they desire. He argues that the evidence of God's creative power in the world is proof that this power can fulfill any desired promise.

Practical Applications

The practical application of this teaching is to train your mind. A student must practice withdrawing attention from the evidence of the senses and learn to concentrate it on the invisible state of the wish fulfilled. This habit develops the spiritual outlook necessary to see beyond current circumstances. This practice convinces you that God (your own imagination) has the power to bring your desire into the world, just as all other things in the world were made from the invisible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Neville say we can 'see' the invisible things mentioned in Romans 1:20?

By developing a spiritual outlook, which involves withdrawing attention from the physical senses and concentrating it on the invisible through controlled imagination. It is a spiritual discernment, not a physical sight.

What does Romans 1:20 teach about our desires?

Neville uses it to counter the idea that we are not entitled to the good we desire. The verse shows that God's creative power is evident in the world, proving that what is promised (desired) can be brought into being.