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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Grrr! (01/28/10)
You might ask, “What could the sound ‘grrr’ possibly have in common with spiritual victory?” Everything - if you think of “grrr” describing the growl of a lion.

Wondering just where I’m going with this? Let me try to explain.

Interestingly, one of the Hebrew words translated “meditate” in the Bible is also used to describe a lion’s growl (see Isaiah 31:4). Are you thinking this is a bizarre concept? Well, the idea is that biblical meditation may involve quoting the Scriptures half-aloud at times. So like the low, growl of a lion, one of the ways Believers meditate is to quote God’s Word softly out loud to themselves. And the way this is tied to spiritual victory is simple. As Christians meditate on God’s Word and allow it to saturate their minds, they arm themselves with God’s truth and experience spiritual victory.

This is the example of spiritual victory Jesus gave to us. For instance, Christ spoke God’s truth when He was tempted. Actually, He quoted it without exception to quench every flaming temptation Satan fired His way (see Matthew 4:1-11). Do you remember the devil’s first attack on the Son of God in the wilderness? It focused on food, but Christ overcame Satan by voicing the truth of Deuteronomy 8:3b which says that “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (NIV). Jesus doubtlessly meditated on God’s Word which meant that He always had Scriptural truth at His proverbial fingertips. This is why He experienced victory over all Satan’s temptations.

Of course, you are also in a battle with Satan, and God’s Word is your weapon. Paul teaches that the Word of God is “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17, NIV), and the writer of Hebrews explains that “the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV). Clearly, when you grab the sword of the Spirit with your fists of faith, you follow Christ’s example and are postured for spiritual victory. As you meditate on the Scriptures and live by its truth, you confess with the Psalmist, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11, NIV).

So while you don’t literally “growl like a lion” or say “grrr” when you practice biblical meditation, you do fill your mind with the truth of the Scriptures. And when you do this, you’re armed for battle and poised for spiritual victory! So do you see now? The sound “grrr” may be a very good description for how you can meditate on God’s Word and speak its truth in order to overcome the attacks of Satan and experience spiritual victory!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Esther Phillips
02/04/10
This is an interesting concept. Certainly one that I never thought of before. I enjoyed your thoughts.
stanley Bednarz
02/06/10
Interesting devotional/article. I always thought meditation related more to a an animal chewing the cud, or (ruminating), but I could see how this concept could fall in line with it. Keep writing.
Avigail David
02/06/10
I do agree with you. It does take so much patience, prayer grace, mercy and humility to overcome anger, frustrations, disgust. Daily meditation in God's Word and being in His holy presence do equip us to be victorious over temptation and sin.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. God bless you in all your writing for His glory and praise.
Ruth Brown
02/07/10
Enlightening and well said.
It was a blessing to read. Thank you and may God bless you.
Amanda Brogan
02/11/10
My first thought when you mentioned the "growl of a lion" was Jesus being called the Lion of Judah. I can just imagine His triumphant roar. . .

I love it when people dig into the original Bible languages and pull out interesting words and concepts! I had never heard of the meditating/growling of a lion one before. This was an interesting read. Meditation on God's Word is certainly the only way we will experience spiritual victory! Thanks for sharing your insights.