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Christian
Meditation
I have recently read several articles and blogs
that make mention of meditation as part of a Christian practice. While this is a
mentioned Biblically, what concerns me is the lack of further defining how they
meditate. I mean for example an example in Christianity Today’s article entitled
The
New Monasticism quotes a man named Jonathan in about his practice of
daily contemplation
“Jonathan says his daily
practice of contemplation provides the spiritual strength to do ministry work.
Fighting against structural oppression only attacks one side of the equation, he
says. People are also oppressed by sin, and contemplation teaches the soul to be
liberated.”
Another way some “new age” Christians are
discussing meditations of sorts is
here. Even Oprah has a
meditation prayer that you can engage in.
Many religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism
both engage in meditation as well. So instead of insulting these practices, I
would like to engage on what the Bible actually says about meditation. This will
ensure that when “contemplation” or “meditation” or whatever terminology is
mentioned then the Biblical method for these would be able to be lifted up and
the false methods would be cast down.
A good place to begin a study would be with
defining mediation (using original Hebrew and Greek if applicable would be
best). Two primary definitions emerge in the Old Testament as primary roots of
the others. They are:
hagah (daw-gaw'); a primitive root [compare
1901]; to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder: KJV--
imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.
siyach (see'-akh); a primitive root; to ponder,
i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or
(transitively) utter: KJV-- commune, complain, declare
In the New Testament the word meditate is only
used twice in the KJV and not at all in the NASB. This being said we will only
deal with the verse in 1 Tim 4:15 (word study is from the root word melo (mel'-o);
a primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. to concern) as it has interest for
this study.
So in total these definitions carry the idea of
conversing with one’s self ponderings aloud either positive or negative. I
believe that meditation could also be accomplished inwardly as the Psalm 19:14
mentions meditation of my heart. Now to further define it and separate
meditation from prayer. Prayer at least in the New Testament seems to carry the
weight of worship and supplication to God.
The Bible does give us lists of things that we
are to meditate on so we are not focused on things we ought not to be. The list
includes meditation:
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on God’s law (Josh 1:8, Ps 1:2) and commandments (Ps 119:48)
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on God (Psalm 63:6)
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on God’s work and doings (Ps 77:12, 143:5)
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on God’s precepts (Psalm 119:15,78) and statutes (Ps 119:23)
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on God’s word (Ps 119:148)
Paul also gives Timothy a list in 1 Tim 4 that
includes words of faith (6), sound doctrine (or teaching) (6),spiritual
discipline for the purpose of godliness (7), hope on the living God (10), being
an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (12), public reading of
Scripture (13), exhortation (13), teaching (13), and spiritual gifts within him
(14).
Some other key items to notice about meditation
are
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Meditate day and night (Josh 1:8, Ps 1:2)
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Meditate in times of trouble (Ps 119:15)
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Meditate with the prayer that your meditations would be pleasing to God (Ps
19:14)
There is one last note to mention for now in the
area of meditation. This is a spiritual discipline that is a Biblical discipline
and not a new age occurrence. It is not emptying yourself of everything in hopes
of being connected with a cosmic force. It is emptying yourself and filling
yourself with things of God to glorify Him and fellowship with Him.
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