Study vs. 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*)

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.

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

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Also related to this topic: How to Receive Revelation Knowledge

Additional Resources Which Relate to Using the Eyes of Your Heart as You Approach God

  1. What Does the Bible Teach about Visualization?
  2. You Can See Visions! They Are a Pathway to God
  3. Poised Before Almighty God
  4. Lord, When Is “Priming The Pump” Acceptable and Unacceptable?
  5. Help! I Have Trouble Seeing Vision!
  6. Training Your Child to Encounter Jesus - Godly Imagination & Visions
  7. Training Package - 4 Keys To Hearing God's Voice (One key is to use vision)
  8. Training Package - Hear God Through Your Dreams (Dreams utilize imagery)
  9. Book - Am I Being Deceived? (Difference between New Agers and Christians)
  10. Book  - Secret Place (Examples of God painting beautiful scenes during prayer times)
  11. Divine Healing Toolbox CD/DVD Set (using vision while praying for healing)
  12. Protestantism's 500-Year-Old  Bitter Root Judgment and Inner Vow (a chance to repent)
  13. Training Package - Prayers That Heal the Heart (Inner healing prayer utilizes vision)