59. The first step for these people is to acquire for themselves doctrine from the Word’s literal sense. This lights a lamp for them for their further progress. Then after they have acquired some doctrine and have a lamp thus lit, they see the Word in its light.

People who do not acquire doctrine for themselves, however, first inquire whether the doctrine delivered by others and accepted by the general body accords with the Word. And to whatever accords they assent, and from whatever does not accord they dissent. In this way the doctrine becomes their own, and through doctrine their faith.

But this is the case only with people who are not distracted by worldly affairs and have the sight to see. If these people love truths because they are true and apply them to useful life endeavors, they are enlightened by the Lord. All others who live in some measure in accordance with truths can learn from them.

92. The fact that appearances of truth, which are truths clothed, may be seized on from the Word as naked truths, and that when affirmed, they become falsities, may be seen from the many heresies that have existed in the Christian world, and which exist still.

Heresies themselves do not condemn people. An evil life does. And so do affirmations from the Word of the falsities found in any heresy and defended by the reasonings of the natural self.

Everyone, indeed, is born into the religion of his parents, is introduced into it from early childhood, and afterward holds to it, nor is he able to extricate himself from its falsities owing to his dealings in the world.

But to live an evil life, and to affirm falsities to the point that they destroy genuine truth — that is what condemns.

For someone who remains in his religion and believes in God, and in the case of Christianity believes in the Lord, considers the Word holy, and lives in accordance with the Ten Commandments religiously — such a one does not swear to falsities. Consequently, when he hears truths and in some measure perceives their truth, he is able to embrace them and so be extricated from falsities. Not so someone who has affirmed the falsities of his religion, for falsity once affirmed remains and cannot be rooted out. That is because once falsity is affirmed, it is as though the person has sworn to it, especially if it is connected with his self-love and consequent conceit in his own wisdom.