Why does the Bible say to meditate on God’s
Word
if meditation is bad?
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, we would caution anyone
against YOGA, or anything that gets its basis from eastern religions.
The definition for it out of the Webster’s Dictionary is:
A Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state
of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. A system of exercises
practiced to promote control of the body and mind. The word "yoga"
is from Sanskrit "yogah;" "union; the uniting of
the self with the universe." There is a book entitled, Marshal
Arts and Yoga: A Christian Viewpoint by Brenda Skyrme which
one may find in their local Christian Bookstore.
Meditation is one of the primary activities practiced in YOGA.
In itself, meditation is not a bad thing; depending on what one
is meditating upon. Transcendental Meditation (TM), which is practiced
by some cults, is a meditational technique in which deep mental
and physical relaxation is achieved especially through the use of
a mantra (a sacred Hindu formula believed to embody divinity invoked
and to possess magical power). The word meditation simply means
to reflect on; ponder; to engage in contemplation. A graphic illustration
of this word is it’s like a cow chewing its cud. It chews it awhile
then swallows. A little bit later, the cow will regurgitate its
cud and chew some more, then swallow again. This process continues.
So when we are meditating on God’s Word, we "chew" it,
so to speak by reading and thinking about it. Then it sinks down
into our hearts, as we go about other things; but later that day,
we’ll bring it back up again in our mind and dwell on (ponder, reflect
on) it some more and on and on. There are several scriptures which
talk about meditation and on what we are to dwell (Joshua 1:8; Psalm
19:14; 119:15, 97; Philippians 4:8). Psalm 1:2 says, "But his
delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day
and night." The Spirit-Filled
Life Bible, for which Pastor Hayford served as General Editor,
footnotes under this passage read:
Meditates, hagah, To reflect; to moan, to mutter; to
ponder; to make a quiet sound such as a sighing; to meditate
or contemplate something as one repeats the words. Hagah represents
something quite unlike the English "meditation "which
may be a mental exercise only. In Hebrew thought, to meditate
upon the Scriptures is to quietly repeat them in a soft, droning
sound, while utterly abandoning outside distractions. From this
tradition comes a specialized type of Jewish prayer called "davening,"
that is, reciting texts, praying intense prayers, or getting
lose in communion with God, while bowing or rocking back and
forth. Evidently this dynamic form of meditation-prayer goes
back to David’s time.
Resource:
Tape #3082 "The
Experience of Excellence"
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"Brethren,
having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living
way, which He consecrated for us..." Hebrews 10:19-20
  Jack
Hayford Ministries
14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233
(800) 776-8180 * FAX: (818) 779-8411
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Last updated on: 7/09/03
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