The Bible frequently uses the concepts of clean and unclean not as dietary laws or ritual regulations but as profound symbols of inner states — states of consciousness that either align with or block the manifestation of divine fulfilment.
Old Testament Foundations: The Law of Clean and Unclean
In the Old Testament, especially in books like Leviticus and Deuteronomy, God instructs the Israelites on which animals and foods are clean and unclean (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14). At surface level, these were dietary laws intended to set Israel apart as a holy people. But Neville Goddard and many spiritual interpreters see them as metaphors for the state of the inner mind.
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Clean food symbolises thoughts and feelings aligned with faith, hope, love, and the Law of Assumption.
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Unclean food represents doubtful, fearful, or negative states — the “foods” we feed the imagination that block manifestation.
This inner cleanliness is essential for transformation and the fulfilment of one’s desires.
Jesus and the Radical Redefinition of Clean and Unclean
In the New Testament, Jesus challenges the external focus on clean and unclean foods:
“There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of a man, those are they that defile him.”
— Mark 7:15
Jesus shifts attention from external observance to internal purity. The food itself does not defile — rather, it is the state of the heart and mind that determines cleanness.
This points us toward a spiritual interpretation: the “cleanliness” required is not ritual, but psychological — a clear, uncontradicted assumption of the wish fulfilled.
Romans and the Spiritual Symbolism of Food
Paul’s epistle to the Romans deepens this understanding. Romans chapters 14 and 15 address disputes about food and cleanliness among early Christians. Paul advises tolerance but also points to the symbolic meaning of these debates:
“One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.”
— Romans 14:2
Paul is speaking metaphorically about faith as the true ‘clean food’. The “strong” eat freely — meaning they are fully confident in their assumption and therefore not bound by limiting beliefs or rituals. The “weak” limit themselves, reflecting doubt and separation.
Later, Paul says:
“Everything is clean for those who are clean, but for those who are stained and unbelieving, nothing is clean.”
— Titus 1:15
This affirms that the real question is inner state, not external observance.
Clearing the Unclean: Inner Cleansing Through Assumption
To clear something as clean in Neville’s teaching and biblical symbolism is to remove doubt, fear, and contradiction — to feed your imagination only with what supports your fulfilled desire.
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Food as Thought: The food you feed your mind is either clean or unclean. Thoughts of lack, fear, and limitation are unclean and defile your inner temple.
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Cleansing as Purification: Clearing unclean food means purifying your imagination of these limiting thoughts. This is a necessary preparation for manifestation.
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Manifestation as Inner Cleanliness: You cannot manifest what you assume is dirty, impossible, or unworthy.
The Symbolism of the Temple and Cleanliness
The temple in the Bible symbolises your inner being. Just as the physical temple required ritual cleansing, so too does your consciousness require clearing:
“Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
— Proverbs 4:23
If your heart and mind are unclean, the “issues of life” — your experiences and manifestations — will reflect that.
Practical Application: How to Clear What Is Unclean
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Identify Limiting Beliefs: Recognise the “unclean food” you have been feeding your imagination — fears, doubts, negative self-talk.
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Apply the Law of Assumption: Assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled. This is the “clean food” that nourishes your inner temple.
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Persist in Inner Purity: Like the bride preparing for the marriage supper, maintain a pure, uncontradicted state. This keeps your “clothing” clean and ready.
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Use Affirmations and Visualization: Repeatedly immerse yourself in positive, fulfilled scenes to replace unclean mental food.
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Let Go of Rituals and Outer Judgments: Focus on your inner state, not external rules, to cultivate cleanness.
Conclusion: Cleanliness as the Key to Manifestation
The Bible’s distinction between clean and unclean is more than religious law — it is a profound metaphor for your spiritual and psychological condition. Paul’s teachings in Romans and Jesus’s radical redefinition both emphasise that true purity is an inner state.
By clearing the “unclean” from your imagination and feeding only the “clean,” you align with the Law of Assumption, making yourself ready for the manifestation of your desires.
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