Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalms 1:1-3 (NIV)
As a man thinks, so he goes. When the mind is captured, so to the man. The saints of the past were certainly aware of this and we are wise to adhere it today as well. Scripture tells us in Psalms 1 that the man who meditates on God’s perfect Law – day and night – will both produce fruit in season and prosper. Sounds like a winner to me. In meditating upon Scripture we dwell upon it - chewing it so to speak – until it permeates our thoughts which will in turn permeate our actions. Truth was never meant to remain in the brain. It starts there then proceeds to the heart and then to the hand. Therefore, whatever really shapes a man’s thinking, will shape his life. Words are cheap. We live what we believe.
Christians must seek to retake our minds from the gutter of the worldly “wisdom” to be captivated by the beauty of the Bible. In a world like ours that appears to be going south fast, it is our best defense against falling prey to our adversary’s schemes. Scripture tells us we are to take captive our thoughts making them obedient to Christ, demolishing arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.
We will meditate one way or the other – whether it is feeding on the meat of God’s Word or by words supplied by the flesh, the world and the devil. Choose wisely.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalms 119:9-16 (NIV)