Meditation is becoming increasingly popular in our world, and as Christians it is important that we ask ourselves first and foremost: what does our Scripture teach us regarding the practice of meditation? You may be surprised to learn that meditation has a strong Biblical endorsement throughout Scripture, as well as a long history in Church tradition. Listen in as we discuss the Biblical foundation and what it does for our lives and faith.
Scripture References (ESV)
1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (ESV)
2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…”
1 Corinthians 9:27 – “But I discipline my body and keep it under control…”
Matt 4, Luke 4, Mark 1 – Jesus in the wilderness
John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.”
John 5:19 – “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
John 14:11 – “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”
John 6:38 –“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
Psalm 1:2-4 – “but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
Joshua 1:8-9 – “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 in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.”
Ezekiel 3:1-3 – “And he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, ‘Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.’ Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.”
Further Reading
What Does the Bible Say about Meditation? – Ruah Study
Things We Referenced
- The Book of Joy – Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Abrams
- Sacred Rhythms – Ruth Haley Barton
- Headspace App – While we don’t endorse this app, we found their explanation of the mind helpful.
