What is Christian Devotional Meditation?

Answer

The Bible discusses meditating on God’s Word and His laws throughout Scripture. The term meditation refers to “thoughtful contemplation or reflection for a period of time.” Psalm 1:2 states that the person is blessed “whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.” The Bible instructs us to think scripturally by incorporating God’s Word into our daily thought life. Christian Devotional Meditation (CDM) is an effort to comprehend oneself and concentrate on God’s presence.

Christian Devotional Meditation is a specific meditation method advocated by certain churches and Christian psychologists. It aims to help an individual capture every thought and focus on Christ for a period. Scripture is not the primary focus of the meditation; instead, the individual meditating is encouraged to select a mantra. For instance, a person practicing Christian Devotional Meditation might reflect on the phrase “God loves me” to combat negative emotions and enhance awareness of God’s care. Recommended mantras include “Maranatha,” “The joy of the Lord is my strength,” “I walk by faith,” and “Peace, be still.” Through its repetitive use of brief, truth-filled statements, Christian Devotional Meditation is similar to contemplative prayer; in its emphasis on self-awareness, Christian Devotional Meditation resembles mindfulness techniques. In fact, Christian Devotional Meditation is sometimes seen as a Christian adaptation of mindfulness meditation.

True biblical meditation entails a private moment of silent, thoughtful focus on God’s Word. Our personal Bible study should be a time when we concentrate on Scripture, its significance, and how it relates to our lives. During genuine, biblical meditation, a Christian selects a passage of Scripture, reads it prayerfully, studies it, reflects on it, and allows it to impact their heart and transform their life. However, ChristIan Devotional Meditation is not directly linked to Bible study. The topics of meditation in Christian Devotional Meditation might be spiritual, and they might be biblical, but they are not drawn from a study of Scripture per se. Simply repeating “God loves me” or “God is in control” or “The Lord is my shepherd” is not biblical meditation.

Christian Devotional Meditation has some inherent spiritual dangers. The use of mantras, controlled breathing, and relaxation techniques comes straight out of Eastern mysticism. Proponents of Christian Devotional Meditation also advise practitioners to choose a natural setting, listen to soothing music, and visualize something to help focus their thoughts. Again, these are meditative techniques associated with Eastern religions or New Age practice, not biblical meditation. Also, many practitioners of Christian Devotional Meditation claim that, in the quietness of their stilled souls, they hear the Holy Spirit speak to them and they see visions sent by God. Such claims of receiving “new” messages from God bypass the Bible’s authority and cheapen its worth. Christian Devotional Meditation’s connection to contemplative prayer, soaking prayer, and visualization are also problematic.

In the end, we don’t need Christian Devotional Meditation. We don’t need mantras and “vain repetitions” «But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. », (Matthew 6:7) to connect with God. We don’t need controlled breathing or New Age music to enter His presence. We need a humble and contrite heart and a commitment to understand and obey the revealed Word of God (Psalm 1).