Meditation has become a very popular way to relax, relieve stress, and increase focus.

In a religious context, it is most often associated with Buddhism, Hinduism, and other Eastern religions. Because of this, many people wonder whether meditation is a sin or if Christians should practice it.

Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about meditation and whether or not it’s a sin. Then, we’ll look at how Christians can meditate.

Is Meditation a Sin? In Christianity?

Is meditation a sin? No, meditation itself is not inherently a sin. Meditation is based on focusing on one particular thing. If you’re focusing on God or His word, that will never be a sin.

However, if it involves clearing one’s mind and thereby trying to block out the Still Small Voice of The Lord in one’s head or actively wishing harm on another person, it can be.

The first and second of the Ten Commandments are “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” and “Thou shalt not make unto thyself any false idols.” Meditation that doesn’t involve Him can run afoul of these two Commandments if we place our faith in something or someone else.

That being said, Christian Meditation is a version of the practice that does give glory to Him and can actually strengthen our relationships with The Lord.

Is meditation a sin in the Bible?

What does the Bible say about meditation? The Bible mentions meditation 23 times, 19 of which are in the Book of Psalms. Let’s take a look at a few of these verses.

  1. Joshua 1:8: “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.”
  2. Psalm 1:1-2: “Blessed 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, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
  3. Psalm 104:34: “May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.”

Why Is Meditation Considered a Sin?

In a religious context, meditation is most often associated with Buddhism, Hinduism, and other Eastern religions. Because of this, many people think meditation is a sin.

Some denominations do consider traditional zen meditation to be sinful as it can be used to clear one’s mind completely or do harm to others.

However, meditation itself is not considered a sin in most Christian denominations. Meditation on God’s word and will for our lives is not considered to be a sin and is highly encouraged.

The Catholic Church Catechism says in section 2705, “Meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking.”

It is also used by the Eastern Orthodox, which they refer to as “Hesychasm”, a contemplative monastic tradition in which stillness is sought through uninterrupted Jesus prayer. Many Protestants practice it as well.

Can Christians Meditate?

Yes, Christians can absolutely meditate and The Bible tells us that meditating on God’s Word is a good thing. It’s something we should strive to do as often as possible, as it can help us in our daily walk with Him.

As long as the goal isn’t to clear one’s mind entirely and thereby prevent the user from focusing on The Lord or harming another person, it can be a powerful tool to relieve stress and help us focus more on following God.

What is Christian Meditation?

Christian meditation is essentially a form of prayer, although one that is typically not vocalized like the ones heard in church.

It involves taking a Bible verse or passage, focusing intently on what it means and how it applies to our daily lives, and then praying that He might help us to achieve that application.

Is Meditation a Sin? In Bible? How to Do Christian Meditation?

How to Do Christian Meditation

Although Christian Meditation can be done in a variety of ways, here is a step-by-step guide that you can use in your daily sessions. As this is only an example, you can change things around to find the system that works best for you and helps you get closer to The Lord.

  1. Choose a quiet location like a spare room, walk-in closet, or even a vehicle to prevent distractions.
  2. Open with a prayer asking God to guide your thoughts and help you find both meaning and application in the session.
  3. Find a Bible verse, passage, or story and read as much of it as you’d like, focusing as much as possible on the meaning of the words. Optionally, you can also try breathing exercises while reading if it helps you focus on the words. If it’s a distraction, you can skip it.
  4. Contemplate the meaning of what you’ve just read. For example, let’s imagine that you’re reading Hebrews 11, commonly called The Faith Chapter. Focus on each of the people listed and how they showed their great faith in Him. Then, think about how you can do the same in your daily life.
  5. Pray again, this time asking The Lord to help apply the reading to your life. With the Hebrews 11 example, you could pray that He shows you how to demonstrate your faith to others.

Final Thought: Is Meditation a Sin?

Meditation itself is not a sin. The Bible tells us that we should meditate on His words and spend time every day focusing not on the things of this world but on that which is to come.

As the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” May you have an excellent time on your Christian meditation journey and God bless!

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