lan Warner
Is Meditation a Sin? For many people, meditation is a way to reduce stress levels and rejuvenate the mind and body. There are a variety of ways that they use to meditate, such as using scented candles and listening to instrumental music.
Scientific studies have proven that meditation is actually beneficial to both the mind and body. The practice of meditation is pretty much harmless. However, Christians still wonder if it is a sin. So, is it?
Before we answer this question, let us first delve further into what meditation is, how it helps the mind and body, and why it is a preferred activity by many people.
What Is Meditation and Why Do People Like It?
Is Meditation a Sin? Meditation refers to the practice of freeing the mind of thoughts and just being in the present moment. It is also about focusing on a particular object or concept.
Throughout the practice of meditation, mantras are usually repeated. These mantras are typically phrases or sounds that help the person practicing meditation achieve calmness. Visualization techniques are also often used to help manifest whatever it is that the heart desires.
Is Meditation a Sin?
Due to the numerous benefits that meditation offers, it is not surprising that a lot of people like to practice it. Experts even recommend meditating early in the morning or at night before going to bed to keep the mind refreshed.
Thanks to meditation, you can effectively reduce your depression and anxiety levels. You can be more focused and aware of your surroundings. You can know yourself better and be more in tune with your inner desires. You can also improve your personality and be kinder and more compassionate towards other people.
Regular practice of meditation can improve your mental and physical health. When you are more relaxed and less stressed, your body will be able to function at its best. Thus, you will be more productive, efficient, and confident at the things that you do.
Meditation and the Bible
Is Meditation a Sin? Meditation sounds pretty harmless. What bad effect can it possibly have? Well, meditation is actually mentioned in the Bible. So, before you practice it, you may want to know what the Bible says about it first.
Meditation is able to reduce stress levels because it involves the process of not doing anything and being still. It also dwells on positivity. Because your mind is directly connected to your physical body, it is not unlikely that this kind of activity will lower your heart rate. According to Proverbs 23:7, for as you think in your heart, so are you.
The power of thoughts is not denied in the Bible. In fact, 2 Corinthians 10:5 gives instructions on how to capture any rebellious thoughts and make them obey Jesus Christ. This verse is proof that you have the power to control your mind. It is written in the Bible that you have to capture your own thoughts.
Likewise, it is written in the Bible to be still. According to Psalms 46:10, you have to stay still and know God. This means that you have to stay aware of the Lord as you center your emotions and mind towards Him.
Isaiah 26:3 tells you that you can see the value of focusing your mind on Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:8 also reminds you to always have thoughts that are worthy of praise. The verse says:
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Here, fixing your thoughts is like practicing meditation. You might be surprised to find out that the Bible mentioned the term “meditate” in some accounts. However, it was never implied that you have to meditate on your flesh.
According to Joshua 1:8, you have to continually study the Bible, which is a book of instruction. You have to meditate on it night and day so that you can obey everything that is written in it. Once you are able to do that, you will be able to succeed and prospect in everything that you do.
The Word of the Lord gives life. Your thoughts can be full of power. However, according to Hebrews 4:12, the word of the Lord is active and alive. It is sharper than the double-edged swords that can penetrate the soul, spirit, marrow, and joint. It judges the attitudes and thoughts of the heart.
When you use Joshua 1:8 as you meditate on the Scripture, you reap the benefits for your mind and body. These benefits are even greater than the ones that meditation offers.
Also, Biblical meditation recommends that you meditate on the Lord Himself. According to Psalm 63:6, your soul will only be satisfied as with rich food and fat, and your mouth will praise you with lips that are joyful if you meditate upon the Lord.
You can also meditate on the ways of God, according to Psalm 119:15. You can meditate on the precepts of God and fix your eyes on His ways. Likewise, Psalm 145:5 says that you can meditate on the majestic and glorious splendor as well as the wonderful miracles of God.
Whenever you feel that you are getting overwhelmed by stress and chaos in your life, you can follow the example of David when he wrote Psalms 121:1-2. Here, he said that he lifted up his eyes to the mountains and that the help he received came from God, who is the Creator.
The act of lifting your eyes to the Lord involves looking away from stress and focusing on the Creator. After all, God is the One who gives us strengths whenever we are faced with difficulties and challenges. God does not want us to dwell on problems as is seen in 2 Corinthians 4:18.
Final Thoughts
So, is meditation a sin? No, it is not a sin, provided that you meditate according to the ways of God. You have to re-read the Bible and understand how meditation has to be done.
The practice of meditation involves focusing on a particular idea or concept. It maximizes your emotions and mind for a period of time. The entire process is pretty much like worship. As a child of God, you know that you should not worship anyone or anything else but the Lord.
When you meditate, you have to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness so that you will be able to attain true, lasting joy and peace. This is evident in Psalm 16:11.
You have to hope to receive from the process of meditation something that is only found in Jesus Christ. You have to center your whole self on the Lord, from whom every blessing flows, rather than something that you desire on your own.
Keep in mind 1 John 5:21, which tells you to stay away from anything that may take the place of God in your heart. This includes the objects or ideas that might come to your mind as you meditate.
Furthermore, instead of looking at the world and within yourself, you have to look at the Lord to be at rest. Otherwise, you will only be distressed and depressed. God is the only One who is worthy of meditation.
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