By Michael Tummillo

Many Christians are confused or even terrified by meditation. Not only the act, but the very WORD! Meditation...it has such a harmless ring to it. The bible encourages this practice so it cannot possibly be dangerous.

Right?

Wrong.

Fact is, of all the practices of Eastern mysticism and cult philosophy, meditation may well be the one that is most spiritually devastating. Why? Because meditation is not merely the act of placing ones mind in neutral...its damage, or benefits, depend on how and why one meditates.

The words "meditate" or "meditation" (the root MEDI meaning: to consider, wise counselor, doctor), appear 20 times in the Old and New Testaments. Obviously, meditation is strongly endorsed by Scripture and there are examples provided below. Joshua 1:8 declares, "This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate on it day and night."

Mystical meditation involves a process of shutting down the mind. This is contrary to the Bible, which stresses the importance of knowledge as the key to intimacy with God. There are well over 1,000 scriptures in the Old and New Testaments combined that include the words know, knew, knowing, and knowledge, many of these in regard to knowing God, knowing His Word, and knowing the Truth.

The mystic desires to pacify the will and ego until they no longer function actively. But the Bible teaches that the mind represents one route by which God reveals his precepts and His personality. God has gifted mankind with the capacity of reason, which plays an important role in discerning God's will and His ways.

Eastern mysticism considers the mind an enemy of the spirit. So, it utilizes techniques designed to cause it to shut down as a means of "god-realization", merging ones consciousness with what they refer to as the "Universal Mind." Once the mind is emptied of awareness, the mediator becomes conscious of what appears to be a unifying oneness of reality and they report a state of joy, peace, and indescribable bliss. What really happens? It might be an illusionary experience similar to the effects of drugs. It might be that he has left his mind and body open to an evil invasion by spirit beings. Whatever occurs, many are deceived to believe they have communed with the Lord.

The mind is NOT the enemy of the spirit, as the Eastern mystic believes. It is, however, the battleground on which every Christian must fight our adversary, the devil. A mind filled with the WORD can more easily resist the things of the world!

There is a place for meditation in Christian life, if the methods used conform to biblical standards. No need to twist our limbs, chant or slow our pulses. No need to "empty our tank" mentally. Instead, we are to fill our minds with the knowledge of God.

So, filler up!

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READ 'EM & REAP!!

Psalm 1:1,2

Psalm 119:15

Psalm 119:23

Psalm 119:48

Psalm 119:78

Psalm 119:97

Psalm 119:99

This Psalmist was not into empty-headed meditation, but on the things of God. Biblical meditation is not formless or aimless. It is the natural process of being constantly absorbed by Gods life and love, setting aside the stuff of our life to focus on His kingdom. Where mystical meditation focuses on "self" as a divine inner manifestation of God, biblical meditation reaches out toward the true, living God who lifts us above our sinful inner nature to fellowship with Him through the blood of Jesus. Unlike the mystic whose deepest thoughts lead to darkness, Christians find comfort and direction for their lives by thinking about things that are "true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable" (Philippians 4:8).

You may reach Michael Tummillo at: Team1min@aol.com

Take A Stand! Ministries - POB 1485 - Rowlett, TX 75030
www.ericbarger.com