One of the challenges of the Christian is the practice of meditation. The purpose of meditation is for coming to know God through thoughtful, attentive, and regular reading of Scripture. Meditation is a spiritual duty which cannot be neglected without injury to a person’s spiritual improvement. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Meditation … lets us be alone with the Word….We ponder the chosen text on the strength that it has something utterly personal to say to us….We expose ourselves to the specific word until it addresses us personally.” The purpose of meditation is to enjoy fellowship with God.
The apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippian believers gave admonition to meditate on “things that are true”. Christians having come out of the atmosphere of wickedness and the worship of pagan gods needed biblical truth to ground them in the faith. Paul gave specific principles to keep their minds sound.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy…MEDITATE on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
The godless atmosphere that the Philippians were in required the plumb line of truth to withstand the pagan adversaries. Paul writes; “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.” (Philippians 1:27-28)
Today, we are facing the same atmosphere the Philippian believers faced. Clamor, dissension, rebellion, perversion, and wickedness abound. Paul writing to them proclaims, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world; holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16)
Whatever things are noble, (showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles) whatever things are just, (ethical, honest, truthful) whatever things are pure, (spotless, unsoiled, wholesome) whatever things are lovely, (graceful, divine, aesthetic), whatever things of good report, (trustworthy, credible, delectable) if there is any virtue, (moral excellence, temperance, righteousness) and if there is anything praiseworthy, (worthy, righteous, good) meditate on these things.
Meditation has to do with the realm of spiritual mindedness. The Lord is the foundation for entering into spiritual mindedness. The Word is the ground of spiritual mindedness. Holding fast the Word of Life is a necessity for the continuance of meditation. Consider Paul’s admonition on his list majors on virtuousness. Christian meditation must be deeply fundamental to withstand the assault of this corrupt world on our minds. Our lives, our faith, our character, our countenance and our sound mind depend on it.
When a worm gains entry into an apple it will pollute the freshness of it. When the world worms its way into your soul it will destroy it. The worms of the internet, movies, literature, peer pressure, undefiled people, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride, and covetousness will defile any attempt to proclaim you are a new creation in Christ Jesus.
As children of God we must continue meditating on the things of God. We must pursue the means of grace. Meditation is one means of grace. Meditating on Christ and Calvary is a means of grace. Getting alone with God and meditating on the Scriptures is grace for the soul.
Remember Paul’s admonition to the Philippian believers on meditating on the things that are true. “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you”. (Philippians 4:9) Are you longing for peace? You can have it. You first must repent of your sins and ask Christ to save you. Go to a pastor, elder, or deacon in the church. They can help you. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Where the grace blows,
