Read Joshua 1:1-9, Meditation (1)

Beginning in this post we would like to consider the Biblical approach to “meditation.”  It is a subject worth consideration Biblically as there are some concerns about the use of “Eastern” practices being encouraged in some circles.  In these posts we will give content on the “meaning” and “content” of meditation in the Bible.  Then we will give some testimonies from the Body of Christ.

The meaning of meditation:

·       Biblical terms:

1.    The term in Josh 1:8; Psalm 1:2 (haga):  to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak. to meditate, devise, muse, imagine.

2.    The term in Psa. 119:15,23, etc. (siah): 1 to put forth, mediate, muse, commune, speak, complain, ponder, sing, study, ponder. to meditate, consider, put forth thoughts.

3.    The term in Rom. 6:11:  1 to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over;  2 to consider, take into account, weigh, meditate on. 3b to suppose, deem, judge. 3c to determine, purpose, decide. Additional Information: This word deals with reality. If I "logizomai" or reckon that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise, I am deceiving myself. This word refers to facts not suppositions.

·       In the Navigators little booklet on meditation, we read: “Meditation is chewing. It is like the graphic picture of a cow and her process of mastication. Bringing up previously digested food for renewed grinding and its preparation for assimilation. Meditation is pondering various thoughts by mulling them over in the mind and heart. It is the processing of mental food. We might call it ‘thought digestion.’  ‘Chewing’ upon a thought deliberately and thoroughly, thus providing a vital link between theory and action. What metabolism is to the physical body of a cow, meditation is to your mental and spiritual life.”

·       Our concluding definition or description of meditation 1. Quiet time spent in contemplating the Word of God and in fumigating the mind of the toxic thoughts and ideas that infiltrate it every day. 2. Private devotion or spiritual exercise focused on a religious theme. 3. Spoken or written contemplative discourse delving into spiritual things.