Can Christians Meditate?

Short answer… ABSOLUTELY!!!

Long answer with more explanation… The practice of meditation is believed to have been around for thousands of years across many cultures and religious groups, and for this reason, it is difficult to pin down an exact origin or word meaning because different religious groups/cultures regard meditation in different ways. In today’s culture, meditation is more often associated with new-age spiritual practice and not with Christians o Christianity. In his work, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney writes, “One sad feature of our modern culture is that meditation has become identified more with non-Christian systems of thought than with biblical Christianity… Because meditation is so prominent in many spiritually counterfeit groups and movements, some Christians are uncomfortable with the whole subject and suspicious of those who engage in it. But we must remember that meditation is both commanded by God and modeled by the Godly in Scripture. Just because a cult uses the cross as a symbol doesn’t mean the Church should cease to use it. In the same way, we shouldn’t discard or be afraid of scriptural meditations simply because the world has adapted it for its own purposes.” 

Our friend Mr. Webster defines the word “meditation” as the act of engaging in contemplation or reflection. And in another definition, the act of engaging in mental exercise (such as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. The second definition is where Christians often get the idea that meditation is not biblical because it involves chanting or being in control of attaining a higher spiritual level. However, several scriptures throughout the Bible reference meditation. Psalm 1:2 reads, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 19:14 reads, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” In the Christian sense, meditation is often associated with the study of scripture or with prayer or being in communion with God. In today’s busy world Christians often find it difficult to continually focus on God and have lasting connection with Him. Meditation practiced with a Christ-centered purpose is beneficial in calming the mind and reconnecting with God. Christ-centered meditation can be done through breath work, scientifically proven to help calm the mind, and then reading a scripture and sitting in quiet stillness while really studying and contemplating the scripture and how it is impactful in your life. Christ-centered meditation encourages surrender to God. Psalm 46:10 commands, “Be still and know that I am God.” BE STILL… meditation is the practice of stillness; the practice of contemplation or reflection; the practice of mental exercise. All of these are imperative for living in communion with God.

Meditation in Christianity

It is in the practice of Christian meditation that you will receive divine communication and discernment from God. It is in the practice of Christian meditation that you will release worldly stresses and chatter and turn your focus solely on scripture and your relationship with God. It is in Christian meditation that you will improve the meditations of your heart so that they align with God’s teachings and God’s purpose. It is in Christian meditation that you will learn to more easily surrender to God. So, can Christians meditate? Yes, Christians can meditate. Christians are commanded to meditate. Keep an eye out for a future blog post with recommendations for beginning your practice of meditation.

Leave a Reply

free download -
guided meditation

Simply enter your name and email below to get your free guided meditation straight to your inbox!

the latest blog posts