Meditation – Buddhism in disguise?

It has come to my attention that meditation which is very similar to eastern meditation is creeping into our churches and public school systems. Maybe you have heard of it but didn’t recognize it because of its labels. Have you heard of:

• contemplative prayer
• breath prayers
• centering prayers
• mindfulness

All of these are forms of meditation founded in Buddhism. All of these are described as ways to get close to God. The focus is on feelings. You don’t need to do any of these to get close to God.

Jesus Christ, our high priest, is the only way to the Father. Every other way will be a dead end. It will deceive you and leave you empty and alone.

If you are born again, you have the Holy Spirit living in you all the time. Trouble is, most of us don’t realize it. But that is what the Bible says. I know there a lot of scriptures in this post, but it is only possible to combat deception with the truth. So join me as I search the scriptures for the truth.

Think on the words of scripture

Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Meditate on the scriptures

How does the Bible instruct us to meditate? Let’s start back in Joshua

Joshua 1:8  “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.”

Psalms 1:1-2 Blessed is the man…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night.

Psalm 63:6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.

Psalm 77:12 I will also meditate on all Your work and talk of Your deeds.

1 Timothy 4:13-15 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine…Meditate on these things.

Words to light your path

Psalms 119:15 I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.

Psalms 119:23, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148.

Nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to concentrate on our breathing. Rather than emptying our minds, we are instructed to fill our minds with the scriptures and what God has done. There are no words that are particularly holy to think on. Our relationship with God is based on faith, not feelings.

Be very careful. The enemy of our souls is prowling about looking to deceive. Even if he has to be cloaked in religious words. He will do it. Anything to keep you from being grounded in the word of God.

Would you like to hear a discussion on this topic? See The Mystical Christian.

Our Father in heaven, open our eyes to the truth. You promised that if we would keep our eyes on You that You would guard us from the evil one. Today we choose to keep our eyes on You and Your holy word, the Bible. Help each of us to be vigilant and watchful lest we are deceived.