Christian Meditation: Emptying the Mind or Filling the Soul
This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.
I’ve heard whispers of the evils of meditation, yoga, and finding inner self all my Christian life. These whispers were, of course, against the Eastern mysticism of transcendental meditation, which is quite different than the biblical meaning of meditation.
Secular meditation is often focused on techniques and methods to de-stress, find inner peace, focus on self and the powers within oneself.
On the other hand, Christian meditation focuses on God, His promises, attributes, and power working in us.
Eastern meditation encourages you to focus on emptying your mind, and Christian meditation encourages you to fill your mind with the knowledge of God.
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. Philippians 4:8
What Does Meditate Mean in the Bible
Meditation shouldn’t be something we fear to do just because the world has labeled it as something different than its original purpose. That’s Satan’s #1 strategy—take godly things and distort them.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written. Joshua 1:8
According to Strong’s Concordance, six words are translated as meditate or meditation and are defined similarly in the following terms:
- To ponder (to think about something carefully) — I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:12
- To reflect (to think deeply or carefully about) — Oh how I love Your law! It Is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97
- To muse (thoughtfully say to oneself) — I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of Your hands. Psalm 143:5
- To contemplate (think profoundly and at length) — Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
- To revolve (treat as an essential point or element — Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 1 Timothy 4:15
What Does God Say about Meditating
In Deuteronomy 11, God instructed the Israelites in how and what to meditate on after they were freed from Egypt.
Consider the discipline of the Lord your God, His greatness, His mighty hand and His outstretched arm, His signs and His deeds that He did in Egypt… Deuteronomy 11:2-3
The chapter continues to reflect on the excellent works of God which He performed in Egypt and the wilderness as the Israelites awaited their arrival into the promised land.
And then, the Israelites were instructed to talk about these things to their children. Recalling the stories as they went about their daily activities and proclaiming the great works of God before going to bed.
God encourages His people to meditate on His greatness!
What Happens When We Meditate on the Word of God
When we first become Christian, most of us know nothing about God’s wondrous works, His watchful care of His children, the protection He offers, or the grace He gives.
By meditating on the Word of God, we learn about the great heroes of the faith and how God performed great miracles on their behalf. We begin to memorize Scriptures that give us strength and courage. And we rejoice in the confidence that our eternal life will be more than we can imagine.
Our faith will increase when we meditate on the Word of God.
How to Meditate on the Word of God
Meditating on the Word of God is reading it, thinking about it, writing about it, memorizing it, and applying it to our life as the Holy Spirit leads.
The Psalmist encourages us to meditate on the Lord’s precepts day and night.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
And to memorize the Scripture so, we can discern right from wrong.
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
5 Steps to Effective Christian Meditation
God is the center of Christian meditation. Pondering on His mighty deeds, reflecting on His commandments, musing over the direction of the Holy Spirit, speaking of the truth of our Savior’s redeeming power, and practicing what we learn.
1. Pray—Start with Prayer.
Jesus instructed His disciples to pray like this, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9)
When I meditate on the Word of God, I begin with prayer. I’m acknowledging that the Creator of the universe is indeed my Father and praising Him for His holiness.
I ask Him to quiet my mind from the busyness of the world; to allow my concentration to be enlightened to His Word; and that my heart to be softened to His will.
But you do you. Find a quiet place where you can spend some time alone, turn off the electronics, get comfortable, and relax. If life is hectic for you, take a couple of deep breaths and start talking to God.
Breathing is a technique that secular meditators use, but that’s okay. God is the original breath giver. Slow, deliberate breaths calm our minds and slow our heartbeat.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
2. Ponder—Read the Bible
When you are meditating on God’s Word, it’s not about quantity. You don’t need to read a whole chapter or read for a specific time frame.
Meditating on the Bible is reading (possibly rereading), thinking about what you read, asking questions about what was written, or simply rejoicing in a promise that you’ve come across in your reading.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
3. Praise—Incorporate Music
Incorporate music in Christian meditation. Three motivating tools for meditation are soft music playing in the background, reciting a hymn or a memorable lyric, or softly singing choruses found in Scripture.
Music is a big deal to God.
- He included a special music division when He set up the temple
- The walls of Jericho tumbled to the sound of music (one note)
- David soothed King Saul’s evil spirit with music
- The Israelites, Elizabeth, Mary, and others sang of God’s greatness
- The Psalms are literally a book of songs
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Psalm 96:1-2
4. Imprint—Memorize Scripture
“For God so loved the world… Yea, though I walk through the valley of death…Be strong and courageous, Our Father, who art in heaven… In the beginning, God created… Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ… and I will send a Comforter the Holy Spirit… Blessed is the man the walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly… A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise…
These are just a few of the passages of the Bible that I committed to memory several years ago. I may not be able to tell you exactly where to find them, but I’ll be able to loosely recite them to you (unless I’m under pressure).
Memorizing Scripture is easy to do while you’re young—warning—it gets a little harder for us older folks. But memorizing Scripture becomes a natural process when it’s read and reread over time.
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
5. Practice—Be a Doer of the Word
There’s an episode in the Bible, a parable that Jesus taught, about two sons. The father came to the first son and said, “Work in the vineyard.” The son refused but later had a change of heart and went to work in the field.
The father went to the second son and told him to work in the vineyard. “I will go,” he answered, but he didn’t go.
Then Jesus posed this question, “Which son obeyed the father?”
It’s not enough to know the Word of God; we must act on it. Practice its precepts, follow its commands, and heed its warnings.
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:25
What are the benefits of meditating on God’s Word
Meditation has several benefits. It brings us peace by being in a position of worship. We learn to be quiet and relaxed as we wait for the Lord to speak. Our mind begins to be set on heavenly things relieving us of daily stress. And then we find the many ways God is revealed to us.
Meditating Reveals God’s Promises
- God promises to heal our land
- Make our paths straight
- Bless our families
- Protect our material things
Meditating Reveals God’s Attributes
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28
You have no clue who God really is. No one does. His character is above our understanding. However, as we read the Bible, we will begin to learn some of His marvelous and wondrous attributes.
- God is eternal—Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Job 38:4
- God is unchangeable—Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
- God is all-powerful—Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 147:5
- God is all-knowing— And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13
- God is every present— Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! Psalm 139:7-8
Meditation Reveals God’s Voice
We cannot hear God while the world is blasting in our ears. While our minds are being consumed with noise from outside, we cannot hear the still small voice of the Lord.
Are you looking for direction in your life? Then consider taking some time to meditate on God.
Meditation Reveals Our Hearts
As we meditate on God’s greatness, we realize we aren’t that great. Our deeds are compared to a bunch of nasty, filthy, dirty rags that aren’t good for any use.
But meditating on who we are in Christ, we go from rags to riches, from pauper to princess. Our hearts that were once stones become flesh—pliable in the hands of a loving God.
Meditation on God’s Word and His attributes, and His promises is an act of worship. It is not a part of our salvation because we can not do anything but receive the salvation of the Lord. However, it is a product of our salvation. Meditation is a way to grow a more intimate relationship with the Creator.
With meditation, we receive peace, we learn to walk by faith, and we gain the ability to reflect God’s glory so others might be drawn to His saving grace.
Meditation Prayer
Father, I come into Your presence for this small moment in time to calm my spirit before You, hoping You will be blessed with my devotion. Your ways are so above my ways, but I desire to learn more. Your thoughts are much greater than mine but help my understanding as I read Your Word and think on Your holiness. I am unclean to stand before You by myself but clothed in the blood of Jesus Christ; I come to present myself as a willing sacrifice. Allow me to have the heart of Christ as He murmured, “not my will, but thy will be done.” And to be filled with the leading of Your Spirit as I trust You to direct my paths. For Your glory and in the name of Jesus, I ask all things. Amen”
