The dictionary meaning of the word meditate is: to contemplate, to ponder, to think, to consider, to reflect, to ruminate, to muse, to turn over in one’s mind.
There are many places in the Bible which speak on Meditating. All through the Psalms references are made. In many of the references when David is meditating he is thinking on the laws of God or he is thinking on the wonderful works of His Maker.
I will meditate on your precepts , And contemplate Your ways. Psalm 119:15
I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of all Your deeds. Psalm 77:12
Why is it then that when we speak of meditating today, we speak of clearing the mind. We seem to think that a mind empty of everything will bring us peace, yet the Bible says that can be a very dangerous thing. The verses below speak of a man whose mind was cured of all evil spirits or negative ways. Instead of changing his ways he continued on the same path and ended up worse that before. So an empty mind does not mean a peaceful mind.
The Danger of Emptiness Luke 11
“When an evil spirit comes out of someone, it travels through dry places, looking for a place to rest. But it finds no place to rest. So it says, ‘I will go back to the home I left.’ 25 When it comes back, it finds that home all neat and clean. 26 Then the evil spirit goes out and brings back seven other spirits more evil than itself. They all go and live there, and that person has even more trouble than before.” Easy to Read Version (ERV)
So from this we can see that we are never to leave our minds empty. As we rid our minds of negative thinking, we must keep filling the mind with positive thoughts….God’s thoughts.
[ Meditate on These Things ] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if
there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.Philippians 4:8 New King James Version (NKJV)
Great read and powerful points!!
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I think there is so much we can learn from the Bible, as it shows us how to live…..what is right and what is wrong, yet we mostly go from day to day looking for sophisticated ways on how to better ourselves.
Truth. Thank you. I needed it.
It’s amazing how many things we do that the Bible says is harmful to us….I am learning the hard way , and as I learn I also want to bring it to the attention of others, in hopes of helping them avoid the same pitfalls.
I have seen and read many things on how beneficial meditation is. I should give ti a try again
As long as you’re doing it the proper way….with your mind fixed on God or the beauty of His Works you’ll be heading in the right direction, but to empty your mind will be very harmful for you according to the Bible teachings.