MEDITATING ON GOD’S WORD FOR SUCCESS
The biblical Word of God says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Nevertheless, some people seek spiritual knowledge and guidance beyond the Bible. Yet, the Bible says, meditate on its written scriptures, “then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).
SUCCESS IN FIGHTING SPIRITUAL ENEMIES
God told Joshua, who led the people of God in wars, tells God’s people to be mindful of the Lord’s Word: “Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8). Moreover, the Bible says God’s “word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
The Bible reveals that we are in spiritual warfare “against powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” And a vital part of our offense and defense is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:12-18).
SUCCESS IN THIS LIFE
A born-again believer shares with us how he learned to focus on and trust God’s Word rather than “Far Eastern” and “New Age” meditation, and “Contemplative Prayer;” and he was prosperous and successful.
BORN-AGAIN BRIAN FLYNN, now the director of One Truth Ministries in Minneapolis, says: “Eleven years ago I walked away from the life of a New Age medium and gave my heart to Jesus Christ. As a medium, I performed psychic readings and, through meditative practices, contacted spirit guides. At the time, I did not realize these guides were demonic. Now as a Christian, I no longer have to chant, go into altered states of consciousness or perform rituals to find the peace and truth I found through the Lord and his Word.”
BRAIN SEES CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER AS ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING TO CHRISTIANS. After having been converted by the Word of God, Brian said he was shocked to learn that the Far Eastern technique of meditation had “infiltrated Christianity through…a practice called contemplative prayer.” He said this technique involves: “repeating a word or phrase over and over again until reaching what is called “the silence.” (According to articles by Lighthouse Trails Publishing, contemplative prayer may use biblical names and phrases as mantras that are more attractive to Christians, rather than “om” and other Eastern mantras). Sometime instead of a word or phrase, the breath is focused upon, thus the name “breath prayer.” The goal?–Reaching an “altered state of consciousness” in order to communicate with God.” Brain said, “Contemplating God’s word is a good thing. But the contemplative prayer I speak of is not.”
In light of his understanding of contemplative prayer and the Word of God’s, Brain ask: “Why would God put me in a position to fend for myself in this unknown spiritual realm surrounded by spiritual beings that are not in cooperation with God and his way? He would not.” (2 Corinthian 11:14; 1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10)). Brain adds: “As a former New Age medium, I know the difference between Eastern meditative practices and biblical Christian prayer. Sadly, too many in the Christian community do not.”
Yet, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” John 10:27-28).
SUCCESS IN PREPARATION FOR HEAVEN
God is preparing us by his Word to live with him eternally in heaven (John 3:16; Romans 8:29). The Word of God says, if God did not withhold his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us while we were still sinners, he will not withhold any good thing from us who trust and obey his revealed biblical words (Romans 8:32).
(A more complete testimony of Brian Flynn is presented in Eastern Meditation Sneaks into the Church, by Prof. Johan Malan, Univ. of Limpopo, South Africa.)
Other resources that support the Word of God concerning prayer and meditation:
https://youtu.be/Ya9BlyqzgPU (Video on East Meditation infiltrating minds children and adults)
https://youtu.be/fwEoX0zVUMg (video exposing Contemplative Prayer)
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/cp.htm (Articles on Contemplative Prayer)
https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/cpintheworld.htm (In depth article on Eastern Meditation Sneaks into the Church)
