Western Study vs Biblical Meditation
Study (Greek/Western): “Application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge” (Webster)
When we look at the human brain we see that we have two hemispheres, a right hemisphere, which includes artistic creativity, music, and intuition, and a left hemisphere, which includes reason, speech, and writing skills.
When we study we use the “reason” part of our brain, one part of one hemisphere of our brain. Most schools focus on study as the way to learn, but is that the best way to learn? It is the way God intended us to learn?
Study (My use of one part of one hemisphere of my brain)
1. Is nowhere endorsed in Scripture (II Tim. 2:15 is a mis-translation in the KJV Bible).
2. Is self in action (Humanism - a false god).
3. Is self using reason (Rationalism - a false god).
4. Results in wisdom from below - earthly, natural, demonic (Jas. 3:15). For example, reason caused Peter to be at odds with the purposes of God (Jn. 18:10,11).
Study violates the following biblical principles:
1. Gal. 2:20 - I resurrect self, which no longer lives.
2. Rom. 12:1 - I am using my faculties rather than presenting them to God to use.
4. Gen. 3:5 - I’ve fallen prey to the temptation of the Garden of Eden that “I can know good and evil.”
Meditation (Hebrew/Lamad): “To murmur; to converse with oneself, and hence aloud; speak; talk; babbling; communication; mutter; roar; mourn; a murmuring sound; i.e., a musical notation; to study; to ponder; revolve in the mind; imagine; pray; prayer; reflection; devotion” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance*)
Both the right and left hemispheres of our brain are able to be used in learning as well as our heart. Below is a general outline of the way people were meant to learn:
• Right Hemisphere of Brain
o Music
? Make music
o Art Awareness
? Mourn (emotional responses)
o Intuition
? Ponder
? Reflect
o Imagination
? Imagine
? See dreams and visions
• Left Hemisphere of Brain
o Speech
? Speak, talk, communicate
? Converse with oneself
? Murmur, mutter, roar
o Written Language
? “see” by writing (Deut. 17:18)
o Reason
? Study – guided by pictures, peace and flow
? Revolve in mind
? “Reason together” with God (Lk 1:1-3; 2 Tim 3:16)
• Heart
o Express devotion
o Babble
o Pray
Meditation (God’s use of every part of both hemispheres of my brain as He fills and flows out through my heart by His Spirit)
1. Is endorsed 18 times in the KJV Bible.
2. Is God in action within the individual.
3. Is God granting revelation through the heart and mind which has been yielded to Him.
4. Results in wisdom from above - pure, peaceable, gentle (Jas. 3:17).
Meditation applies the following biblical principles:
1. Gal. 2:20 - I let Christ live through me.
2. Rom. 12:1 - I am yielding my outer faculties to the indwelling Spirit (i.e., to “flow” - Jn. 7:38).
3. Is. 11:2 When reasoning together with God, I receive a spirit of wisdom and understanding and knowledge.
4. Jn. 5:19,20,30 - I’m living as Jesus did, out of divine initiative, doing what I see and hear my Father doing.
Questions and Answers
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