For those of us old enough to remember, there were many in the "hippie generation" who somewhat recovered a focus on meditation. One problem with it, however, was that they promoted it as a self-purification via the cleansing of the mind of all other thoughts--a turning within oneself. Biblical meditation is patently different than this as Al Mohler writes on his blog:
The biblical concept of meditation on the Word of God does involve an emptying, of course. We must empty our minds of ungodly and unbiblical thoughts, of desires for sin and resistance to the reign of God in our lives. But that emptying never involves an empty mind. Instead, it involves a mind in which unbiblical thoughts are replaced by the truth of Scripture -- not a blank slate of meditation that revolves around the self. . . . For Christians, this kind of meditation is a danger, not a means to spiritual growth. Should we meditate? Without question, we should meditate upon the Word of God. This should be a part of our regular and constant spiritual discipline. But, this kind of meditation does not lead to an empty mind, nor to the sense of an empty mind, but to a mind constantly more directed by Scripture.
2 comments:
I would say that biblical meditation also means that our minds are actively engaged on the truths of scripture and not merely passive.
How true, Phil. Of the godly it is written: "In His law he meditates day and night." Sounds quite active doesn't it? Check out the blog I referred to for more on this. Good to hear from you!
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