Is Meditation a Sin in Christianity - Can Christians Meditate

Meditation is generally associated with Eastern Religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. Since these religions either do not believe in God or believe in many gods, Christians tend to see the practice of meditation a sin because of the First of the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

The Bible mentions meditation in a number of places. In the Old Testament, the word "meditate" is translated from the Hebrew word "hāgāh," which means to ponder, muse, or reflect. In the New Testament, the word "meditate" is translated from the Greek word "meletān," which means to study, think about, or consider.

Here are some examples of meditation in the Bible:

• Joshua 1:8: "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
• Psalm 1:2: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night."
• Psalm 19:14: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."
• Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Biblical meditation is not the same as Eastern meditation, which often involves emptying the mind of all thoughts. Instead, biblical meditation is about focusing your mind on God and His Word. It is a way to deepen your relationship with God and to grow in your understanding of His truth.

There are many different ways to meditate on the Bible. One common way is to read a passage of Scripture slowly and carefully, and then to reflect on what it says. You can ask yourself questions like: What does this passage teach me about God? How does it apply to my life? What can I do to obey what it says?

Another way to meditate on the Bible is to memorize Scripture passages and then to reflect on them throughout the day. You can also try using a meditation journal to record your thoughts and insights.

No matter how you choose to do it, biblical meditation is a valuable practice that can help you to grow in your faith and to live a more Christ-centered life.

Here are some tips for getting started with biblical meditation:

• Choose a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.
• Set aside a specific time each day for meditation.
• Start by reading a short passage of Scripture slowly and carefully.
• Reflect on what the passage says and how it applies to your life.
• Ask yourself questions like: What does this passage teach me about God? What can I do to obey what it says?
• If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the passage you are meditating on.
• Don't be discouraged if you don't feel like you are getting anything out of meditation at first. It takes time to learn how to meditate effectively.

Be patient and persistent, and you will eventually begin to experience the benefits of biblical meditation.

While there are many similarities between Eastern Meditation and Biblical Meditation, the main difference is the focus of your thoughts. It would not be sinful to empty the mind of all thoughts but God delights in our meditating on His word.

To learn more about Christian Meditation, visit these resources:

Contemplative Outreach and Centering Prayer

The World Community for Christian Meditation

Or, Google "Christian Meditation", "Bible Meditation", etc.

Shop for Meditation Cushions Here.

I hope this is helpful but please let me know if you have any other questions or thoughts.

Sincerely Yours, Jay

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