In this article, we will look at the following questions and the answers may surprise you. Is meditation scriptural? Should Christians meditate and if so, how?
What should they meditate on or in? How should they meditate? What kind of results or benefits do you get from meditation? Where or when should you meditate?
Christian Bible-Based Meditation is Different To What Most People Imagine About Meditating
In our modern way of thinking, we usually envisage the word meditation with someone having their legs crossed, eyes closed, rocking back and forth while chanting.
Something strange and mystical, introduced to the west by eastern religions and far removed from what a Christian should do.
However, meditation or meditate is mentioned 25 times in the Bible and simply means:
To dwell on, to ponder, to consider something thoughtfully, to have something go round and round in your mind, to remember, to study, to speak (as in self talk), or imagine.
So…
Should Christians Meditate?
The answer is a resounding yes…
Let’s see why you should be meditating by diving into the scriptures and taking a look at meditation.
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Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Ps 19:14)
The very first thing that jumps out at me with this scripture is where the meditation is coming from… the heart!
The Hebrew word translated as heart here can also mean: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
Meditation is just not a thought process or a cold intellectual activity. We worship the Lord from our innermost being (this encompasses our heart, mind, and soul), and quite often in the scriptures, this is simply referred to as, from our heart.
It is also from the heart that we speak…
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- …for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Mt 12:34)
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- A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. (Mt 12:25)
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- But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man. (Mt 15:18)
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- For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Mt 6:21)
So… If the meditation of our heart is the Lord and his word (if this is our treasure), then from the heart will our mouths speak good things.
The following scriptures expound this thought even further…
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- My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. (Ps 49:3)
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- I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. (Ps 77:12)
I tried to find a video featuring a chorus we sing in Church that contains… With the Words of My Mouth and The Mediation of My Heart but to my shock I couldn’t find the version we sing (we are probably way too old fashioned).
However, I did find the below song that features the words. This video doesn’t have many views but it is beautifully sung and I loved it. Enjoy…
The next Bible verse about meditation we will look at is…
Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. (Ps 1:2)
Here we read, blessed is the person who delights in the law of the Lord.
The word delight means: pleasure; desire; concretely, a valuable thing; pleasant, purpose, willingly.
The word that jumped out at me was willingly… If you delight in something or take pleasure in something you are a willing participant.
There is no blessing in being forced to do something, you will not find it pleasant or of value.
So the word delight signifies something from within you, and just like meditation from the heart, your desire originates from your innermost being.
The person who delights in the word of God will be drawn to constantly meditate on (ponder, think about, remember, study, speak) his word, day and night.
Okay, so let’s move onto my favorite Bible passage about meditation…
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. (Gen 24:63)
Abraham had sent his servant to his own kindred to find a wife for Isaac and to cut a long story short the servant was led by the Lord to Rebekah who agreed (and her family also agreed) to marry Isaac.
How Good is Meditation – Look At The Results!
As soon as Isaac had finished meditating, over the hill coming towards him is a very attractive woman (Gen 24:16) who is about to become his wife!
I often joke with single people that if you want a spouse go sit in a field and meditate!
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Josh 1:8)
Once again, look at the results of meditating on the right things.
Then… shall thy way be prosperous and you shall have good success.
Sounds a lot like… Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you. (Mt 6:33)
Another massive benefit of Christian meditation is clearly stated in the following Bible verse…
[bctt tweet=”I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. (Ps 119:99)” username=”sowandreap”]
When the Lord’s testimonies are our meditation we have more understanding than all our teachers!
More understanding can also mean: more wisdom, more success, prosperous, confidence.
When you meditate on the things of God, your profiting becomes obvious to everyone…
[bctt tweet=”Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Tim 4:15)” username=”sowandreap”]
So let’s break this down into small bite-size chunks using Christian affirmations…
What Shall I Meditate In?
- I will meditate in God’s law. (Jos 1:8, Ps 1:2)
- I will meditate in God’s statutes. (Ps 119:23)
- I will meditate in God’s precepts. (Ps 119:15)
- I will meditate in God’s testimonies.(Ps 119:99)
- I will meditate in God’s word. (Ps 119:148)
- I will meditate in all of God’s works. (Ps 143:5)
Paul summarizes it perfectly when he writes…
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8)
So…
- I will think (meditate) on whatsoever things are true
- I will think (meditate) on whatsoever things are honest (and honorable)
- I will think (meditate) on whatsoever things are just (right, righteous, approved of or acceptable to God)
- I will think (meditate) on whatsoever things are pure (chaste, clear, clean, modest)
- I will think (meditate) on whatsoever things are lovely (acceptable, pleasing)
- I will think (meditate) on whatsoever things are of a good report (well spoken of, reputable)
- I will think (meditate) on whatsoever things are of virtue (moral goodness, praise, modesty, purity)
- I will think (meditate) on whatsoever things are of praise (encouragement, appreciation, respect, admiration)
What Are The Benefits of Meditation?
- It shall make my way prosperous. (Jos 1:8)
- I will have good success. (Jos 1:8)
- I will speak of wisdom. (Ps 49:3)
- My heart shall be full of understanding. (Ps 49:3)
- I will be able to talk about God’s doings. (Ps 77:12)
- My meditation of him shall be sweet. (Ps 104:34)
- I will be glad in the LORD. (Ps 104:34)
- I have more understanding than all my teachers. (Ps 119:99)
- My profiting will appear to all. (1 Tim 4:15)
Where, When, and How Should I Meditate?
- I can meditate in a field (Gen 24:63)
- I can meditate day and night. (Jos 1:8)
- I can meditate upon my bed. (Ps 63:6)
- I can meditate on my night watches. (Ps 63:6)
In other words, I can meditate on the Lord at any time and anywhere. I quite often meditate on the Lord and his word while washing the dishes, while going on long walks and at night before I go to sleep.
Or as Jesus said…
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly. (Mt 6:6)
Once again we see an amazing result… God will reward you openly. Your profiting will appear to all.
So… Meditating sincerely, from the heart, about God, and in his word, will see the word abide in your heart so you will always be ready to give an answer.
You will have good things come out of your mouth because you speak from the heart and you will be successful in your walk in the Lord.
A final note: It says meditate IN the word – not on it. While for the most part, we can use both terms interchangeably, there is a difference… In the word is to love it, be in it, absorbed by it, surround yourself by it, immerse yourself in it, and from the heart.
On the word is more cold and intellectual sounding. You can stand on the roof of a house and have no idea what’s inside the house.
Inside the house is a home, a warm feeling, it is furnished, there is food on the table, a family, etc. You can’t get that from the outside, so come inside, and meditate in his word.
You may also be interested in… The Best Bible Verses About Praying For Others (And The Benefits) and Christian Affirmations
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