When Satan tempted Jesus after His 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus countered by quoting Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). That was His weapon, the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). If Jesus needed Scripture to have victory over sin, certainly we do as well. “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. … I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9,11).
We all know the importance of memorizing Scripture, and maybe we have done so from time to time. We know we should, but it’s hard and time consuming. So, we feel guilty for not doing more of it. But that isn’t strong enough motivation to keep us going. Here are some better reasons for doing it:
Memorizing Scripture brings us closer to God. It is His Word, His revelation, His love letter to us. It teaches us about Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When you read something a loved one wrote you feel closer to them. The Bible reveals God’s heart and shows us how to come closer to Him. It also keeps us walking on God’s path in a steadier, clearer manner. As Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Memorizing Scripture helps us in hard times. When we are going through difficult times, God’s Spirit brings comforting Scriptures to mind to encourage and refocus us. His promises become alive and real. When we have memorized His Word, then He brings it to mind and applies it to our heart and life. But, it must be in our mind and heart for Him to use it. During some very trying times in India it was God’s promises in my heart that got me through. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Memorizing Scripture allows us to meditate on it. Like a cow chewing her cud, we can mull over God’s truths, word by word, and allow them to sink in. That brings spiritual growth and peace. When we are in a time of active Scriptural memorization, that diligent, thoughtful, and repetitious behavior can be quite a lot like what we do during meditation. We clear our minds of other distractions and focus on those words and the truth behind them. Then we always have them with us when needed. When lying in bed or driving, we can go over them in our mind and heart. That draws us closer to God as well. As Psalm 19:14 says, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Memorizing Scripture tells us what to say to others. I can’t tell you how many times God has popped just the right Scripture into my memory when talking with someone in need. God’s Spirit sorts through the verses I know and picks just the perfect one and brings it to my mind. Then I can quote God’s Word to the person instead of just giving a rough paraphrase of something Biblical in my own words. When speaking with someone with questions or who is going through tough times, it is important to speak God’s truth word for word, not just a vague generalization that may or may not help. As John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”
Memorizing Scripture keeps it available for when we don’t have a Bible handy. When we are tempted, questioned, suffering or lying awake at night, we can have God’s Word in our heart, always ready to use. We can’t always have our Bible or phone with us to look up a verse, but if we know it by heart it’s there forever – in this life and for all eternity. How much of what you have learned will be useful in heaven? Not much, but God’s Word will be forever.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
When is the last time you memorized a Bible verse?
Do you still know it?
Think of a Bible verse you’d like to have memorize, write it out and start memorizing it now.
CTO IN PAKISTAN. It never ceases to amaze me how God brings pastors from all parts of the world into the CTO fold. A pastor who leads an organization of churches in Pakistan wrote me about helping with the pastor training branch of his many ministries and we are moving ahead translating books into Urdu and planning for conferences. Pakistan is not a place I could ever personally reach, but through this man and his ministry our materials are going directly to Christian brothers and sisters in one of the most difficult places on earth to serve. What a privilege to be able to help them in some small way! Pray for finances to help this ministry train pastors, and for wisdom as to how to safely get money to them. Pray for Pastor Johnson as he and his family teach and lead this ministry.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India & Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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