Biblical; Meditation
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The Bible mentions meditation about 30 times. It is a fact that scripture tells us to "meditate." But the word "meditate" has more than one meaning. What the Bible says to do is meditate on God's word. Fill your thoughts with God's word. Think about how it relates to other parts of God's word. Think about how it relates to your life. Biblical meditation is ACTIVE... engaging your mind, stirring up your thoughts, digging into the depths of God's word. Biblical meditation is like a personal Bible study.
What is promoted as meditation today is VERY different from Biblical meditation
What has come into our churches is eastern meditation... also known as Spiritual Formation, New Age or Hinduism. Instead of filling your mind, you are to empty your mind. That's not always stated up front, but that is what is taught. Here are some of the characteristics of this satanic practice:
Eastern meditation feels good. It gives you an emotional high... which is what it is designed to do. The ultimate goal is to hear the small, still voice of god speaking to you in the quiet of your mind. Wow! Now you are an important person, god is speaking directly to you. That's the feeling it is designed to produce and it is not Biblical. God speaks to us through His word. And besides, have you ever read anywhere in scripture about God speaking in a small, quiet voice that is difficult to hear? No! If God speaks, everyone He wants to hear Him WILL hear Him.
Christian meditation is an ACTIVE thought process, giving ourselves to the study and understanding of His word.
What is Christian meditation? (GQ)
Meditation That Honors God (GTY)
Elements of Productive Bible Study: Meditate (GTY)
Before you get the good news, you need to know the bad news. It's about you. God says:
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23
Sin means disobeying God, aka breaking God's law. God is perfect and perfection is required to enter heaven. It's a standard none of us can achieve. We all fall short. For example, compare yourself with just one of the Ten Commandments. Have you ever told a lie?
All liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. - Revelation 21:8. Or what about:
Have you ever taken something that does not belong to you, no matter how small? Have you ever looked at another person with lust? In Matthew 5 Jesus said:
Everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.' Have you done that?
You have broken God's laws. You have sinned. There must be justice, and that means eternity in hell, the lake of fire, the second death. Unless...
Unless there was someone willing to pay that penalty on your behalf. Someone who will take on themselves the consequences you deserve. And there is. There is one person who can and will do that. That person is Jesus Christ. If you trust this is true (believe), and repent (turn away from disobeying God), Jesus' death is applied to your account and you are freed from the penalty of sin to be with God forever.