DEVOTIONS OR MEDITATION?

There has been a subtle move over the past hundred plus years to introduce ungodly idolatrous practices into the church of God disguised as sound
doctrine. The word 'devotions' occurs only once in the Bible in Acts 17:23: “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this
inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” Athens was a city filled with pagan altars and idols;
devotions in the context of Acts 17:23 meant the worship of pagan gods and idols; it was idolatry. The pagan Athenians adored their idols and were devoted
to their false gods much as Catholics adore images of Virgin Mary. Coming from India I am very familiar with the practice of 'devotions' towards idols. The
word devotee generally refers to a person who is devoted to a certain false god invariably portrayed as an idolatrous statue or image. The Bible never
commands or requires us to do devotions. God however requires and commands us to MEDITATE day and night as for example in Joshua 1:8. “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.

The word meditation in the Bible means to dwell on something, to think on that which we read, to mull on it, to roll it over and over in our minds and to
mutter; literally to speak to ourselves – this is why the Word must needs be in our mouths at all times as commanded in Joshua 1:8. UNDERSTANDING
COMES ONLY THROUGH MEDITATION and meditation requires no special time or hour, it can be and should be practiced at all waking hours and if
possible even when sleeping. Read psalms 119 and notice how many times the psalmist uses the word MEDITATION. This meditation is not Eastern
transcendental meditation which is an occult ritual designed to open the practitioner’s mind to evil spirits disguised as angels of light. TM is vain repetitions
against which Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:7: But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for
their much speaking. Repeating the same word such as OM over and over again will give you a sore jaw at best and make you devil possessed at worst.

What did the apostle Paul require the Philippians to do in Phil 4:8? He asked them to "THINK ON THESE THINGS" meaning to meditate on them.
Meditation is a mental exercise in which we involve our minds and brain in solving the mystery of the Word of God much as a scientist applies his brain to
solving a problem or a mathematician to solving an equation. There is nothing mysterious about meditation but it will provide the answers to the mystery of
God. The answers are provided to us by the Holy Spirit because Jesus said “Seek and ye shall find” and we seek through meditation. Meditation is the labor
that we are required to exert in order to enter God’s rest and peace for as we meditate we come to the UNDERSTANDING of God through the Holy Spirit.
Understanding God is what brings us rest, peace and comfort.  Jeremiah 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the
mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me,
that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Devotions on the other hand are ritualistic exercises much in the vein of Jesuitical spiritual exercises that may have a show of godliness on the outside but
are unable to change a person on the inside. God does not require me to be a devotee but he has commanded me to be a disciple by understanding and
following His Word. I can see plainly the introduction of many Pagan Eastern practices into the church by false prophets and wolves but God has given us
the discernment not to be ignorant of the wiles of the devil. Words and terminology that we use are very important and we must understand why we do what
we do and why we say what we say. I am not condemning sincere people who sincerely desire to know and worship God for using the word devotions but I
cannot bring myself to use it since I know it is an idolatrous practice introduced to God’s people as ‘Christian.’ I only wish to use Godly words that are found
in the Bible. You may not agree with me but if I don’t feel right in my heart about something how can I in good conscience practice it or advice others to do
so?