Filling the Mind: The Power of Biblical Meditation
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound practice of biblical meditation, contrasting it with Eastern meditation. While Eastern meditation focuses on emptying the mind, biblical meditation is about filling the mind with God's Word. This practice is essential for spiritual growth and resilience, as it helps us align our thoughts with God's truth rather than the world's lies. We delved into the story of Joshua, who was called to lead after Moses. Despite feelings of inadequacy, God repeatedly encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous, linking this strength to meditating on His Word day and night. This meditation is not a mere ritual but a continuous engagement with God's promises, which empowers us to live boldly and courageously.
We also discussed the importance of choosing the right "well" to drink from. Just as drinking from a contaminated water source can physically debilitate us, consuming the world's lies can spiritually weaken us. Instead, we are called to drink from the well of God's Word, which nourishes and strengthens us. This involves a constant reflection on who God says we are: loved, chosen, and complete in Him. By meditating on these truths, we can overcome feelings of inadequacy and fear, and live with peace, contentment, and joy.
The practice of meditation is not confined to a specific time or place but is a lifestyle of pondering God's Word throughout our daily activities. It involves our lips, mind, and actions, ensuring that every aspect of our lives is influenced by God's truth. As we meditate on His Word, we are reminded of our identity in Christ and are equipped to face life's challenges with confidence and courage.
Key Takeaways:
- Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation: Biblical meditation involves filling our minds with God's Word, not emptying them. This practice helps us align our thoughts with God's truth, providing spiritual strength and resilience. [05:33]
- The Importance of Drinking from the Right Well: Just as drinking contaminated water can harm us physically, consuming the world's lies can weaken us spiritually. We must choose to drink from the well of God's Word, which nourishes and strengthens us. [08:49]
- Meditation as a Lifestyle: Meditation is not limited to a specific time or place but is a continuous engagement with God's Word throughout our daily activities. It involves our lips, mind, and actions, ensuring that every aspect of our lives is influenced by God's truth. [13:43]
- Identity in Christ: By meditating on God's Word, we are reminded of our identity in Christ: loved, chosen, and complete. This truth empowers us to overcome feelings of inadequacy and fear, enabling us to live with peace, contentment, and joy. [23:46]
- Courage and Strength through God's Word: Just as God encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous, we too can find strength and courage by meditating on His Word. This practice equips us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us. [28:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to the Detox Series
- [03:30] - Understanding Biblical Meditation
- [05:33] - Joshua's Call to Leadership
- [08:49] - Drinking from the Right Well
- [11:00] - The Role of God's Word in Our Lives
- [13:43] - Meditation as a Continuous Practice
- [16:51] - Psalm 1 and the Blessed Life
- [19:00] - The Impact of Beliefs on Behavior
- [23:46] - Identity in Christ
- [26:30] - Overcoming Lies of the Enemy
- [28:57] - Encouragement to Meditate on God's Word
- [30:00] - Practical Steps for Meditation
- [32:08] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Joshua 1:6-9
2. Psalm 1:1-3
3. Philippians 4:8
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Observation Questions:
1. In Joshua 1:6-9, what specific instructions does God give to Joshua, and how are these instructions repeated for emphasis? [05:33]
2. According to Psalm 1:1-3, what are the characteristics of a person who delights in the law of the Lord, and what metaphor is used to describe them?
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between Eastern meditation and biblical meditation? [08:49]
4. What analogy is used in the sermon to explain the importance of choosing the right "well" to drink from, and how does this relate to spiritual nourishment? [13:43]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the repeated command to "be strong and courageous" in Joshua 1:6-9 relate to the practice of meditating on God's Word? What might this suggest about the relationship between meditation and courage? [05:33]
2. Psalm 1:1-3 describes a person who meditates on God's law as being like a tree planted by streams of water. What does this imagery suggest about the effects of biblical meditation on a person's life?
3. The sermon contrasts the world's lies with God's truth. How might meditating on Philippians 4:8 help someone discern between these two sources of information? [23:46]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that meditating on God's Word can impact one's identity and feelings of inadequacy? [26:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate or insufficient. How might meditating on God's promises, as Joshua was instructed, change your perspective in similar situations? [05:33]
2. Consider the "wells" you are currently drinking from in your daily life. Are there specific sources of information or influence that you need to replace with God's Word? How can you make this change? [13:43]
3. The sermon emphasizes meditation as a lifestyle. What practical steps can you take to incorporate meditation on God's Word into your daily routine, beyond just a morning devotion? [08:49]
4. Identify a specific lie or negative belief about yourself that you have been holding onto. How can you counter this with a truth from God's Word, such as those found in Philippians 4:8? [23:46]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of community in understanding God's Word. How can you engage more with others in your church or small group to deepen your meditation practice? [13:43]
6. Think about a challenge you are currently facing. How can the practice of biblical meditation equip you to approach this challenge with strength and courage, as Joshua was encouraged to do? [05:33]
7. Reflect on the metaphor of the tree in Psalm 1:1-3. What specific actions can you take to ensure your spiritual "roots" are deeply nourished by God's Word, especially during difficult times?
Devotional
Day 1: Filling the Mind with God's Word
Biblical meditation is distinct from Eastern practices, focusing on filling the mind with God's Word rather than emptying it. This practice is crucial for aligning our thoughts with divine truth, providing spiritual strength and resilience. By meditating on Scripture, we can counteract the world's lies and reinforce our faith. The story of Joshua illustrates this, as God encouraged him to be strong and courageous by meditating on His Word day and night. This continuous engagement with God's promises empowers believers to live boldly and courageously. [05:33]
Joshua 1:8 (ESV): "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
Reflection: What specific Scripture can you meditate on today to align your thoughts with God's truth and counteract any lies you may be believing?
Day 2: Drinking from the Well of God's Word
Choosing the right "well" to drink from is vital for spiritual health. Just as contaminated water can harm us physically, consuming the world's lies can weaken us spiritually. Instead, we are called to drink from the well of God's Word, which nourishes and strengthens us. This involves a constant reflection on who God says we are: loved, chosen, and complete in Him. By meditating on these truths, we can overcome feelings of inadequacy and fear, and live with peace, contentment, and joy. [08:49]
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
Reflection: Identify one lie from the world that you have been drinking from. How can you replace it with the truth from God's Word today?
Day 3: Meditation as a Continuous Practice
Meditation is not confined to a specific time or place but is a lifestyle of pondering God's Word throughout our daily activities. It involves our lips, mind, and actions, ensuring that every aspect of our lives is influenced by God's truth. As we meditate on His Word, we are reminded of our identity in Christ and are equipped to face life's challenges with confidence and courage. This continuous practice helps us to live a life that is deeply rooted in faith. [13:43]
Psalm 119:97-98 (ESV): "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me."
Reflection: How can you incorporate meditation on God's Word into your daily routine, ensuring it influences your thoughts, words, and actions?
Day 4: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
By meditating on God's Word, we are reminded of our identity in Christ: loved, chosen, and complete. This truth empowers us to overcome feelings of inadequacy and fear, enabling us to live with peace, contentment, and joy. Understanding our identity in Christ is crucial for spiritual growth and resilience, as it helps us to see ourselves as God sees us, rather than through the lens of the world's expectations. [23:46]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: Reflect on one aspect of your identity in Christ that you struggle to fully embrace. How can meditating on God's Word help you to internalize this truth?
Day 5: Finding Courage and Strength in God's Word
Just as God encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous, we too can find strength and courage by meditating on His Word. This practice equips us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us. By continuously engaging with Scripture, we are reminded of God's promises and His presence in our lives, which empowers us to live boldly and courageously. [28:57]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What challenge are you currently facing that requires courage and strength? How can meditating on God's Word provide you with the confidence to overcome it?
Quotes
Now, some of us think when we think of meditation, we think of Eastern religions. You might think of a monk sitting cross-legged in a monastery, chanting things all day long in private, if that's what you think of meditation. That is not what the Bible thinks of meditation. Eastern meditation, you're probably around people who practice this, Eastern meditation is all about emptying your mind and emptying your body. That's what Eastern meditation is. It is the exact opposite of biblical meditation, of what we're told in Scripture. What is biblical meditation? It is actually filling your mind with something, not emptying your mind. When you empty your mind, you now become really vulnerable to any and everything that the world has to speak to you. And so we are not to empty our mind, we're actually to fill our mind. And so today, we're going to speak about meditation. [00:02:13] (56 seconds)
Say those first four words with me. Be strong and courageous. Strong and courageous. Keep note of that. That's going to come up over and over again. Be strong and courageous. Why do you think God needs to tell Joshua to be strong and courageous? Because he's not feeling very strong. He's feeling weak and scared. Anybody in the room relate? Be strong and courageous. For you shall cause us people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. God's saying, I have promised and I always keep my promises. Whatever I say is going to happen, that is going to happen. And you're going to be the instrument that I use to help these people cross into the land. [00:06:50] (44 seconds)
This book of the law god's word at this point only five books we have 66 books at this point there were only five books the book of the law shall not depart from your mouth all right so this is your lips here it should always be on your lips it should always be in your mouth what god has told us that should be that should be your first go-to when you speak you shall meditate on it there's that word meditate what does it mean in hebrew to meditate to deeply ponder or dwell to deeply ponder or dwell when are we to do that 20 minutes in the morning before your days you hearts? No. It tells us when. When? Day and night. Is there any time that isn't included in day and night? No. [00:11:50] (51 seconds)
This means all day and all night. You are to dwell on God's word. You are to think about, you are to ponder what God has said. Why? So that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. Now, I believe this is all connected to the mandate, the charge that was given to Joshua, which was what? Be strong and courageous. So somehow, be strong and courageous is connected to meditating on God's word. So keep that in mind. Then you will make your way prosperous. This is no way, 11 times this word is mentioned in the Bible, 10 of them have nothing to do with finances, and the 11th time is a maybe. This is not talking about financial wealth here. [00:11:56] (47 seconds)
What does it mean as a Christian living in a foreign land to have success? It means that you can go through life with peace, with contentment, with joy. That's rare. That is really rare. As we go through this detox series, what does it mean for you to be completely at peace, not running to all these broken wells, broken cisterns, and we drink from them only to lead us to disappointment. And then you will have good success. Joshua, you want to be prosperous? Joshua, you want to be successful? Joshua, you want to be bold and courageous? Then meditate meditate on it day and night. Meditate is the mind. [00:12:27] (52 seconds)
So we have the lips, we have the mind, and then do. the body. So you have the behavior, right? So is there any part of your life not included in one of these three? Every part of your life is impacted by the Word of God. It should be on your tongue when you speak. It should be on your mind when you think. There shouldn't be a moment where you're not thinking something that isn't of God's Word. And then it's in your body affecting all that you do. God's Word is not just a book to be studied so you can become smarter. [00:13:19] (39 seconds)
God's Word is so that you might know and then it encourages you to do. Those two things are directly related. Joshua, in order for you to be courageous to do what I'm going to call you to do, it begins by knowing what I've already told you. Know my words so that you might do what I ask you to do. Joshua 1 .8. Okay, the Bible's repeated itself twice now, right? Be strong and courageous, be strong and courageous. Okay, now take note, third time, Joshua 1 .9. Have I not commanded you? [00:13:57] (36 seconds)
My friends, when God calls you to do something, he will go with you. Powerful. The presence of God as you go throughout your day. Now, we're not leading people into the promised land, but we are walking into that meeting tomorrow. There are some things. You're walking into the doctor's office. There are some things that you might be a little overwhelmed with right now in your life. Feeling afraid, feeling frightened, feeling dismayed. God will go with you. There is a correlation between God's word and being bold and courageous. [00:15:54] (38 seconds)
If you just wake up tomorrow and think you're going to be bold and courageous apart from God's word, it's not going to happen. And if you just think, I'm just going to study God's word alone in private 12 hours a day, you're not very bold and courageous. Those two things are directly related. I take you to Psalm chapter one. Psalm chapter one. You can turn there if you have your Bibles open. Blessed is the Lord. is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord. [00:16:32] (41 seconds)
And on his law, he meditates, oh, there's that word again, meditates day and night. When does he meditate? Day and night. Does he meditate for 20 minutes in the morning before he goes to work or before he goes to school? No. Day and night, he meditates on it. What does it mean to meditate? To dwell and to ponder, to think, what are you thinking about most of the time? There's two wells that you can drink from. One well is the word of God. What does God have to say about you? What does God, who does God say that you are? Who does God, when God speaks about you, what does he have to say? That's what we should be thinking about. [00:17:33] (37 seconds)
The other well that we run to is what the world has to say and what the enemy wants to speak into your life. And on his law, he meditates day and night. Just let me point something out. Blessed is the man who walks in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. This tells me this is all of life. This isn't just a Bible study. This isn't just, it includes Bible study. It includes small group. It includes corporate worship. It includes my one-on-one coffees with a friend as we look into God's word. It includes that, but it's all of life. [00:18:14] (40 seconds)
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