I knew you had the right view on meditation, but these days we have to define terms or risk miscommunication due to so many words' meanings being changed over time, so many mean the opposite depending on which definition is chosen.
I agree, but I kind of cringe at the word meditation because of the eastern religions who use it.
I think it us important to specify what you mean by meditation. Biblical meditation is filling your mind with God's word and dwelling on His word. False meditation is emptying your mind of everything and letting any spirit lead your mind where ever it desires. It is critical that our meditation is controlled by God's word.
I understand your concern about the word "meditation" and how its meaning can be misunderstood due to its usage in different religious contexts.
You've made an important distinction that's worth emphasizing.
Biblical meditation is indeed fundamentally different from meditative practices in some Eastern traditions. The Hebrew word for meditation (hagah) in Scripture actually suggests a focused pondering, a deliberate dwelling on God's truth - more like rumination than emptying. It's active, not passive.
The Psalmist beautifully expresses in Psalm 1:2: "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."
The practice I'm describing - filling our minds with Scripture and allowing it to transform our thinking - is precisely what Paul encourages in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable if there is any excellence if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Rather than surrendering our vocabulary, perhaps we can reclaim the biblical understanding of meditation and be specific about what we mean—thoughtful, Scripture-centered contemplation that engages our minds rather than emptying them. This kind of meditation leads to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's character and will.
Thank you, Christy. It's always good to hear your point of view.
I knew you had the right view on meditation, but these days we have to define terms or risk miscommunication due to so many words' meanings being changed over time, so many mean the opposite depending on which definition is chosen.
I agree, but I kind of cringe at the word meditation because of the eastern religions who use it.
I think it us important to specify what you mean by meditation. Biblical meditation is filling your mind with God's word and dwelling on His word. False meditation is emptying your mind of everything and letting any spirit lead your mind where ever it desires. It is critical that our meditation is controlled by God's word.
I understand your concern about the word "meditation" and how its meaning can be misunderstood due to its usage in different religious contexts.
You've made an important distinction that's worth emphasizing.
Biblical meditation is indeed fundamentally different from meditative practices in some Eastern traditions. The Hebrew word for meditation (hagah) in Scripture actually suggests a focused pondering, a deliberate dwelling on God's truth - more like rumination than emptying. It's active, not passive.
The Psalmist beautifully expresses in Psalm 1:2: "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."
The practice I'm describing - filling our minds with Scripture and allowing it to transform our thinking - is precisely what Paul encourages in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable if there is any excellence if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Rather than surrendering our vocabulary, perhaps we can reclaim the biblical understanding of meditation and be specific about what we mean—thoughtful, Scripture-centered contemplation that engages our minds rather than emptying them. This kind of meditation leads to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's character and will.
Thank you, Christy. It's always good to hear your point of view.