Don’t skip through this blog because you already know the importance of Scripture memory or because the topic makes you feel guilty for not doing it. If you are or aren’t memorizing Scripture, this blog can offer positive motivation and encouragement.
For some, memorizing Scripture is easy. For most of us it is not. Our flesh and our enemy (Satan and his demons) conspire to keep us from doing it. Plus, its hard work and we are already very busy with many things in life. Right? We can easily memorize advertising slogans, commercial songs and lyrics from contemporary artists, both Christian and secular. So why not God’s Word? Remember the benefits of learning Scripture by heart.
Memorizing Scripture helps us know God better because it is His living, inspired word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It’s God’s love letter to us. It’s the direction manual from our creator Who knows what is best for us in all things. Perhaps because it is so often difficult to do, especially consistently over long periods of time, we should be alerted to its value. The opposition we face in doing it shows us how important it must be.
When we memorize Scripture we analyze it more carefully, paying attention to every word. We can’t just skim over it. Memorizing is an act of meditation. It allows the Holy Spirit to speak to us through the verse and to teach us things about God and ourselves which we didn’t know before. Meditation sharpens our focus on the truths of God and not on the difficulties and distractions around us. That brings peace, something often lacking our lives today.
Memorizing also helps us apply God’s truth to our lives as it filters into all of our being. It’s one thing to know the facts of God’s Word and the truth behind it, it’s another to have them become part of our thinking and world view. 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 meaning behind them. As we’re told in Colossians 3:16, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Memorizing Scripture also makes it available for recall when we are facing temptation, in a time of testing or giving Biblical counsel to others. Words of comfort, advice, encouragement and faith come from our hearts when we or someone else needs them. God’s Words are better than our words, so using His words is much more effective than our own. In Psalm 119:11 the psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” What a beautiful gift to have!
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
So don’t feel guilty for not memorizing, just get started. Set an attainable goal, something like a verse or two a week. Just keep at it and they will add up. Repeat the verses when lying awake at night, when waiting at a stoplight or in a check-out line. Use them as prayers to God. Bible promises are good verses to memorize. Email me and I’ll send you a list, or search online for Bible promises you like. Whatever you do, just get started. And be prepared for a battle!
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.”
What is the last Bible verse you memorized? What are some of your favorites which you know by heart?
What is a verse you wish you knew by heart? Write it down and start memorizing it today.
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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