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Childlike Faith: Becoming Like Little Children in Neville Goddard’s Teachings

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. — Matthew 18:3 (KJV)

In Neville Goddard’s teachings, the call to become "as little children" is not a metaphor for naïvety, but a profound principle for effective manifestation. It signifies a mental state of trust, purity, and unshakeable belief in the power of your imagination—the very essence of I AM. Adults, conditioned by past experiences and societal norms, often lose the child’s open, unquestioning faith. Neville insisted that to create intentionally, one must restore that childlike state of mind.

What Does It Mean to Become Like Little Children?

Neville explained that children possess an unquestioning belief in the possibility of their dreams. They do not second‑guess themselves or ask if something is "possible"—they simply know it is. This is the foundational law of his system:
What you imagine and assume to be true, becomes your reality.

The Child’s Unquestioning Belief

Children do not doubt. When a child imagines something, they live fully in that vision without worrying about how it will manifest. Neville taught:
"Can you believe in the unseen as strongly as you believe in the visible?"
To manifest, you must feel your desire as though already fulfilled, with the same certainty and excitement of a child at play.

No Doubt—Only Faith

Neville declared doubt as the greatest hindrance to manifestation. Children, unburdened by uncertainty, embody the pure faith required:
“You must doubt your doubts and assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled.”
This is childlike faith in action.

Purity of Assumption

A child assumes their desire is already fulfilled—whether it’s receiving a gift or conquering make‑believe adventures—without asking “how”. Neville urged a return to that pure, undiluted assumption free from past limitations or external conditioning.

The Creative Power of Imagination

For Neville, imagination is God. A child’s imagination, untethered by doubt, illustrates divine creativity at its fullest. When you imagine, you align with the power that created the universe. Embrace that divine capacity with unreserved faith.

Cherubim: Symbolic of Childlike Faith

Cherubim—angelic guardians of Eden and the Ark—symbolise this very state of innocent, untainted faith:

  1. Guardians of Creative Power   Placed to guard Eden’s entrance (Genesis 3:24) and the mercy‑seat (Exodus 25:20 BBE), cherubim protect the unseen promise—like a child trusts a parent’s protection.

  2. Divine Alignment   Their proximity to God models the pure connection between imagination and divine consciousness. Neville taught that embracing childlike trust aligns you fully with this creative source.

  3. Protection of Innocence   As cherubim shield the holy, so must you guard your imagination from doubt and negativity, preserving its untainted power to manifest.

Additional Biblical Symbolism of Childlike Qualities

These passages further reinforce Neville’s emphasis on pure, receptive faith:

  1. Psalm 131:2 (BBE)   “But I have quieted and kept myself as a little child that is with his mother: my soul is in me as a weaned child.”
    A weaned child rests trustingly, no longer crying for every need—mirroring the calm of one who assumes the wish fulfilled.

  2. Mark 10:14–15 (BBE)   “Let the young children come to me...for of such is the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall by no means enter into it.”
    Jesus highlights that reception of the kingdom demands open‑hearted trust, without reasoning or barriers.

  3. 1 Peter 2:2 (BBE)   “As new born children, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it ye may grow into salvation.”
    A newborn instinctively craves its mother’s milk—no bargaining or doubt—symbolising the innate hunger for the living word (your promised desire).

  4. Exodus 25:20 (BBE)   “The Cherubim shall stretch forth their wings over the mercy‑seat...towards it shall the faces of the Cherubim be.”
    Their wings cover the promise, representing protective innocence and unwavering faith in the unseen agreement.

  5. Isaiah 1:3 (BBE)   “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel hath not known me...”
    Even beasts instinctively trust their provider—highlighting the natural childlike trust we are called to emulate.

How to Cultivate Childlike Faith

  1. Let Go of Doubts: Doubt your doubts; replace negativity with the certainty of fulfilled desire.

  2. Assume the Feeling of the Wish Fulfilled: Feel the joy, excitement, and peace as though your desire is real now.

  3. Embrace Purity of Imagination: Drop preconceived limits; imagine freely.

  4. Stop Overthinking: The how is not your concern—focus on the end result.

  5. Play and Imagine: Approach manifestation with the wonder and joy of child’s play.

Conclusion: Return to the Child Within

Becoming as little children means reclaiming the pure, unencumbered belief in your own divine imagination. It is through this childlike faith—mirrored in cherubim, weaned children, and Christ’s own teaching—that you unlock the kingdom of heaven within and manifest the life you truly desire.

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