Western Study vs. Biblical Meditation

Study

(Greek/Western)

"Application of the mental faculties 
to the acquisition of knowledge" (Webster)

Right 
Hemisphere

Left
Hemisphere

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.

  3. Is. 1:18 - I'm reasoning, rather than reasoning together with God.

  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 *Old Testament: 1897, 1900, 1901, 1902, 7878, 7879, 7881; New Testament: 3191, 4304 )

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. Approximately 68 verses (See listing here).

  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.

This article is also available in PDF format.
(If the graphics in the PDF file look jagged, you should set your Adobe Reader software to "Smooth Line Art," by going to Edit > Preferences and clicking on the check box next to "Smooth Line Art.")

Blogs On Meditation and Using the Eyes of Your Heart as You Approach God

  1. How to Meditate on Scripture & Receive Life-Transforming Revelation
  2. Hebrew and Greek Definitions of Meditation
  3. Western Study Versus Biblical Meditation
  4. 7 Step Meditation Process Explored
  5. 7 Step Meditation Bookmark (shown at right)
  6. Healing Scriptures for Meditation
  7. 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice
  8. What Does the Bible Teach about Visualization?
  9. You Can See Visions! They Are a Pathway to God
  10. Poised Before Almighty God
  11. Lord, When Is “Priming The Pump” Acceptable and Unacceptable?
  12. Initiative - Should I Take It? by Charity Kayembe
  13. Help! I Have Trouble Seeing Vision!
  14. Protestantism's 500-Year-Old  Bitter Root Judgment and Inner Vow (a chance to repent)
  15. Training Your Child to Encounter Jesus - Godly Imagination & Visions
  16. How to Receive Revelation Knowledge

Books And Courses On Meditation And Spiritual Formation

  1. Hearing God Through Biblical Meditation book
  2. Meditation: How to Study the Bible in the Presence of God ebook
  3. The Art of Biblical Meditation Interactive Online Course from School of the Spirit
  4. Training Package - 4 Keys To Hearing God's Voice (One key is to use vision)
  5. Training Package - Hear God Through Your Dreams (Dreams utilize imagery)
  6. Book - Am I Being Deceived? (Difference between New Agers and Christians)
  7. Book  - Secret Place (Examples of God painting beautiful scenes during prayer times)
  8. Divine Healing Toolbox CD/DVD Set (using vision while praying for healing)
  9. Training Package - Prayers That Heal the Heart (Inner healing prayer utilizes vision)
  10. Sound Doctrine Through Revelation Knowledge by Mark and Patti Virkler – an alternative to traditional hermeneutics.
  11. The Great Mystery – Christ in You by Mark and Patti Virkler – Explores all New Testament verses that describe what Jesus provides for you through His indwelling Spirit.
  12. How to Walk by the Spirit by Mark and Patti Virkler – Explores Scriptures concerning the heart
  13. Intimacy with the Holy Spirit by Mark and Patti Virkler– Explores Scriptures concerning the Holy Spirit
  14. How Do You Know? by Mark and Patti Virkler – Explores hundreds of verses which reveal God’s prescribed methodology for discovering truth.

 

 

 

Results

Results 11 - 20 of 488

Pages

Naturally Supernatural

Naturally Supernatural

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 161 Pages

A step-by-step guide on “abiding in Christ” or how to let go and let God live naturally and powerfully out through you. Disarmingly simple. Mind-blowingly powerful.

Price: $14.95

Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions

by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe | 314 Pages

Experience Healing for Your Body, Soul, and Spirit through Kingdom Emotions!

In Christianity, emotions are often considered to be misleading and untrustworthy—a lingering part of our fallen nature that distract us from God’s truth. But our emotions were created by God, and though the enemy may seek to manipulate our hearts, Jesus sets us free! This practical teaching will empower you to see emotions as unique channels through which the Holy Spirit works to bring miraculous life-transformation, deliverance and healing.

Price: $16.99

Your Extraordinary Life!

by Mark & Patti Virkler | 197 Pages | $14.99 Retail

Can you imagine starting new believers off with the Holy Spirit! What if the first thing you were taught as a newborn Christian was how to connect easily and daily with the Holy Spirit Who was living inside you, anointing you, empowering you and transforming you?

Save $4 off retail for this book, plus huge quantity discounts available!

Price: $10.95

Rivers of Grace

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 189 Pages

You can be the parent God wants you to be: loving, encouraging, trusting and able to raise up your children in the way they should go, fulfilling their own unique destinies. Parenting was not intended to be a burden, and anyone who tells you differently has bought into a lie. You will learn to enjoy parenting as an exciting, joy-filled, divinely-ordained opportunity, not an wearying responsibility.

Price: $14.99

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice - Teen Edition

by Kay Velker and Mark Virkler | 164 Pages

Get your teens excited about hearing God's voice, two-way journaling and receiving divine vision! Keep them from going through teenage rebellion by teaching them how to hear from the Lord personally every single day of their lives. Give them a foundation that will let them accomplish more than they ever dreamed possible! 

Price: $9.95
4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Pre-Teen Edition

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Pre-Teen Edition

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 39 Pages

This book will ensure that your children learn to hear the voice of God. Generally young people can hear God’s voice easier than adults can! And by teaching them the four keys early on they will clearly recognize His voice as they grow up, positioning them to readily experience His maximum grace and goodness every day of their lives.

Price: $7.95

49 Lies Book – 49 Religious Lies Jesus Told Me to Stop Believing

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 112 Pages

If you have ever believed any of the following lies, then this book is for you: "Emotions are soulish;" "Money is evil or secular;" "It is wrong to seek vision;" "Don’t trust experiences;" "God gave me a mind and expects me to use it;" "Politics are evil;" God is always beating on me;" or one of 43 more such detestable lies...

Price: $11.95
Am I Being Deceived?

Am I Being Deceived?

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 110 Pages
Do you know where the boundaries are? Do you know the distinguishing traits of true Christianity, phariseeism, and the New Age Movement? You will after you have read this book. Set your borders straight, your vision high, and your passion at full steam ahead. Come explore true Christianity, phariseeism, and the New Age Movement.
Price: $12.99
Apprenticed to Leadership

Apprenticed to Leadership

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 74 Pages

Apprenticeship: "Soaking up the spirit and anointing of another."

Apprenticeship is the most time-honored approach to learning. It has proven itself through all of history, was used by Jesus of Nazareth to disciple the Twelve, and is being restored in America today by progressive educators.

Price: $10.95

Come Alive with Jesus

by Jesse and Kara Birkey

Jesse and Kara Birkey introduce a moving devotional with a daily word from God that will help you hear and experience Him in ways you never have before.

Price: $19.99

Pages