What is the difference between imagining and meditating? After all, they both involve our thoughts and occupy the mind.
Rather than run to the dictionary, let’s look at these two mind exercises from a biblical perspective, because the Bible has a lot to say about imaginations and meditations.
Some form of the word imagination shows up 35 times in the Bible, and in every single case, it is associated with evil, wicked, vain and being against something.
One of the gems of how to study the Bible is to look up the first reference to a word in the Bible. You’ll find that it often defines the word for the rest of the Bible. Imagination is a good example of this. Here’s what the first reference says: And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Gen 6:5) Because of that, God sent the flood. His judgment for unabated wicked imaginations was lethal.
I think the best way to define imagination in a biblical sense is mankind’s default thoughts. Many of the references to imagination link it to a wicked evil heart. And who of us has a naturally pure heart? Here’s what God says about that: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)
Wicked imaginations come from our wicked hearts. Don’t we tend to imagine the worst? Have you ever worked yourself into tears or rage over something you imagined that turned out to not be true at all? Here’s my favorite verse on how to handle the imagination: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)
Meditation
On the other side of the biblical thought spectrum is meditation. 15 of the 20 references to meditating come from the book of Psalms, and they speak of directed thoughts and musings of God and His works, words and ways. Meditating is guiding your thoughts rather than letting your thoughts guide you.
Talk to yourself (meditate) rather than listen to yourself (imagine). Meditation on God’s words, ways and works is a great way to transform your mind and eliminate the thought ruts you might find yourself in.
Determine with David to make your thoughts right ones. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. (Ps. 49:3) And about that understanding, read this: I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. (Ps. 119:99)
You know, there’s a promise of prosperous success for those who will direct their thoughts by meditating on the Lord and His word.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Josh. 1:8)
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Ps. 1:2-3)
So, from a biblical perspective, our natural imagination, or default thinking, steers our minds anywhere but to the Lord. It’s better to take ourselves in hand and meditate on the Lord and His word.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Ps. 19:14)
R&J Shee
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