What Is Biblical Meditation And Why This Spiritual Practice?

Biblical meditation is important because it allows us to focus our thoughts on God's Word and deepen our understanding of who God is, what He has done, and what He has said. The Bible repeatedly urges us to meditate on God's Word, as it is through knowing His Word that we can truly know and love Him. Meditation is not a difficult or mysterious ritual, but rather a skill that anyone can learn and practice anywhere. By meditating on God's Word, we shift our attention from our problems to His promises, and as a result, we worry less and experience the transformative power of Scripture in our lives. Job and David, who were considered close friends of God, valued His Word above everything else and thought about it continually throughout the day. Through biblical meditation, we can develop a deeper relationship with God and gain insights into His secrets.

Biblical meditation is a practice of focused and extended thinking on God's Word. It involves selecting a verse or passage from Scripture and reflecting on it repeatedly in one's mind. This form of meditation is different from the common perception of meditation (New Age meditation) as emptying the mind or letting it wander. Instead, it requires serious effort and intentional contemplation on His Word.

The history of biblical meditation in the church dates back to ancient times. The practice of meditating on Scripture can be traced to the Desert Fathers, who sought solitude and silence to deepen their relationship with God. They and others who followed in their footsteps, develop specific and varied practices of Biblical meditation in order not only to engage the mind but to infuse the heart with its living truths. Over the centuries, various Christian traditions have embraced and encouraged the practice of Biblical meditation as a means of spiritual growth and communion with God.

There are several reasons why we should engage in biblical meditation. Firstly, it allows us to know God more intimately by reflecting on His character, actions, and teachings. Through meditation, we can gain a deeper understanding of who God is and how He works in our lives.

Secondly, biblical meditation helps us internalize God's Word and apply it to our daily lives. By repeatedly pondering and reflecting on Scripture, we allow it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. This transformative process aligns us more closely with the teachings of Jesus and helps us become more like Him.

Lastly, biblical meditation brings numerous benefits to our spiritual lives. It strengthens our faith, provides guidance and wisdom, fosters a deeper sense of peace and contentment, and enables us to experience God's presence more fully. By meditating on God's Word, we open ourselves to receiving His revealed wisdom and insights, deepening our relationship with Him.

In summary, biblical meditation is a practice of focused thinking and chewing on God's Word. It has a rich history in the church and is encouraged for its ability to deepen our knowledge of God, transform our lives, and cultivate a closer relationship with Him.

Quotes on Scripture Meditation

• "A planned repetition of a Scripture verse(s) or phrase(s) by which a person's spirit is deepening in God. This act of discipline is intentional, walked out by faith, and moving towards a fresh encounter with Christ." - Kirk Bennett

• "Meditating on the Word of God is contemplating, fixing our eyes (and necessarily our attention) on, considering it very carefully, thoughtfully, and thoroughly, and uttering it in the mind over and over again." - Jack Wellman 

• "Deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer." - Don Whitney

• "Meditating on the Word of God day and night means to speak to yourself the Word of God day and night and to speak to yourself about it."  - John Piper

• "For the Christian, meditation means having 'the word of Christ dwell in you richly' (Colossians 3:16). It is not, like secular meditation, 'doing nothing and being tuned in to your own mind at the same time,' but it is feeding our minds on the words of God and digesting them slowly, savoring the texture, enjoying the juices, cherishing the flavor of such rich fare. Meditation that is truly Christian is guided by the gospel, shaped by the Scriptures, reliant upon the Holy Spirit, and exercised in faith." - David Mathis

• "In meditation, we pause and reflect over His words. We roll them over in our minds and let them ignite our hearts — we 'warm ourselves at the fires of meditation.' We pose questions and seek answers. We go deep in God’s revelation, take it into our very souls, and as we are being changed by his truth, we respond to him in prayer." - David Mathis 

• "According to our culture, meditation is the relaxation of the mind to the point where little or no thought occurs. But according to scripture, meditation is the increased focus of the mind with much deep thought occurring. The goal of secular meditation is to empty the mind, the goal of godly meditation is to fill the mind with God’s truth. To put it in a succinct definition, godly meditation is the practice of filling the mind with God’s Word for the purpose of applying God’s Word." -  Stephen Altrogge

Basic Components of Scripture Meditation

• Set aside time to meditate - It will only happen if it's a priority. Give up something to make time.  

• Create a quiet environment - Make sure you are in a place where it's quiet and has no distractions. You may need to put away your phone and anything else that will likely pull your attention away from meditating on Scripture. 

• Choose a verse(s) or phrase(s) from Scripture to meditate on - Choose a verse/phrase that you are wanting to go deeper in understanding.

• Use a Biblical meditation practice as a helpful structure to meditate on that verse or phrase (practices like Pray-Read, Lectio Divina, Biblical Gospel Meditations, RWSSP, etc.)

Articles on Biblical Meditation

• ARTICLE: Warm Yourself at the Fires of Meditation (Desiring God)

• ARTICLE: 5 Steps to Meditate on Your Bible (The Gospel Coalition)