Why Should a Christian Meditate?

Meditation is not easy in our action-packed world, but it can be a useful tool for Christians today. What are the benefits of thinking deeply about God’s Word?

We live in a world of action.

The daily pace of life calls for more and more from us. We need to get more done, so we spend each day racing through a checklist of activities that we need to do. As soon as we finish one activity, we rush to the next.

When our lives are busy, sometimes we don’t have time for thinking. We act, then we rush to the next thing without reflecting on what we just did or contemplating what we’ll do next. Thinking steadily on an important subject can be hard, and doing it in a productive manner is even harder.

With the fast pace of life and how difficult it is to find time to think, why should we even bother?

Thinking and the Bible

Sometimes Christians are accused of unthinkingly accepting the Bible. But should a Christian be unthinking? The truth is that the Bible encourages us—in fact, commands us—to “meditate” on God’s Word, which means to think about it deeply (Joshua 1:8; 1 Timothy 4:15).

Sometimes it can be hard to take the time to think about God’s Word. But there are great benefits to putting mental effort into God’s Word. It is well worth the time it takes.

Here are some reasons Christians should take the time to think upon God’s Word.

The reason God gave us the Bible

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. As the very words of our Creator, they are well worth thinking about. They are words with a purpose.

Paul wrote about five purposes for God’s Word: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The only way the Bible can benefit us in the ways listed above is if we set aside the time to think about the instruction found within it—and then put what we come to understand into action. That is why it’s there in the first place.

It is essential for every Christian to apply what the Bible says to his or her life. We are warned against only hearing its words—we have to live by what it says (James 1:22-25). Living by God’s Word in the chaotic and confusing 21st century requires thought and contemplation. Obeying God’s law requires thinking about it (Joshua 1:8).

We have to really understand it

If we’re to live by every word the Bible says, then we have to understand what it says. “Understanding” isn’t just a matter of knowing what it says at a surface level. In order to understand something, you have to really know it—inside and out. We have to be very familiar with it, to the point that it is in our heart (Deuteronomy 6:6). This is possible—through meditation.

We have to be sifting through God’s law in our minds throughout the day as we do different activities (Deuteronomy 6:7-9). Thinking about the law and God’s way of life is something that can be enjoyable when we understand its power and greatness (Psalm 119:15-16).

The Bible can give us peace of mind

We live in a dangerous world full of unrest and trouble. But the truths of God’s Word can provide us peace of mind.

In Philippians 4:6-9 the apostle Paul tells us what we need to do to have inner peace, and one of the things that he lists is meditation (verse 8). Thinking deeply about God’s Word, especially the things Paul lists in Philippians 4:6-9, will help give us peace of mind.

Having peace of mind from God is even more important in today’s world that seems to be ripping itself apart.

How do we meditate?

Meditation is very important and should be done. But we need to know how to meditate. For many of us, thinking about the Bible’s words may not be the easiest thing to do. We all think differently, and there are few set guidelines on how to meditate. In the next post of this series, we’ll go through one process that you can use to help guide your meditation.

For a more detailed description of what meditation is, read “What Is Meditation?” and “Christian Meditation.”