Many months ago, I wrote two posts with some suggestions on how we could increase our memorization of Scripture. As a result of one of the posts, someone commented that we should learn Scripture, not memorize it. The commentator’s intention, I believe, was to indicate that it is insufficient to only know the words that make up a particular verse- what we should strive for is to apply the Word of God in our lives. And I would certainly concur! It is obvious from Scripture that Satan himself knows what the Bible states (Mt. 4:1-11), but knowledge itself is insufficient for Christlike living. If all we do is memorize the sequence of words without considering how those words should alter our lives, the purpose of Scripture memorization has escaped us. However, lest we be tempted to say “I’m learning the Bible” (from church, personal study, etc.), “I don’t have to memorize it,” I’m going to contend that we should reconsider our way of thinking. Even when my kids were too young to consider how the verses they were learning could be applied to their lives, I still urged them to memorize God’s Word. And I would make the same plea for any person who is serious about the Bible. Here are a few reasons why:
When God’s Word is firmly in our mind, we are more likely to think upon it.
Throughout Scripture, we can learn of the importance of meditating on God’s Word (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2; Phil. 4:8, and others). Perhaps there are people who do this in their devotional Bible reading or when they are listening to a sermon, but if we consider all the hours in a week, the time spent engaged in these activities is very limited. However, we all have time where our minds wander during the course of a given day. If we have memorized God’s Word, our thoughts can think about His truth rather than being consumed with the cares of this world. When we are driving from place to place, when we are waiting in a checkout line, when we are filling up our gas tank – these moments add up and how sweet it would be if they added up to more time focused on the verses we have stored in our hearts.
The Holy Spirit uses the verses we know to provide direction (and conviction).
I know that God works in mysterious ways, and the statement above is certainly not intended to limit how the Holy Spirit may work in our lives. But one of the ways He works is through His written Word. When we have hidden God’s Word in our hearts, the Holy Spirit can bring it to mind as we ask Him for direction in our lives, or as He sees the need to change our ways in order to prompt us to get back on His path. If we haven’t taken the time to memorize Scripture, perhaps we will be less receptive and responsive to these Holy Spirit promptings. Just as God will sometimes use a (biblical) sermon or the (biblical) words of another person to encourage us to more faithfully walk the path He has planned, so He will use the biblical passages that are imprinted in our minds. Let’s build up the repository of truth that we have stored for Him to use in this way!
Scripture stored in our hearts can prevent us from falling into sin.
Just like the Holy Spirit can use Scripture we have memorized to give us direction or to re-direct us, He can also use it to provide guardrails that prevent us from giving into temptation in the first place. When we are tempted to worry, He may help us to recall that we are to cast all our burdens on Him (Ps. 55:22). When we are tempted to gossip, we may remember that gossip separates close friends (Prov. 16:28). When, in our frailty and humanity we want to do what we want when we want it, He can help us remember the beauty and reward of doing things God’s way and to trust in God’s timing. Again, I’m not saying this is the Holy Spirit’s only method for keeping us from sin, but I have to believe He loves using the words He breathed out to align our hearts to His own. When we have stored those words in our heart, what joy that must bring Him.
Our words are more likely to align with Scripture when it is what’s on our hearts.
What’s in our hearts, pours out in our lives. The Bible clearly states this (Mt. 12:34) and we see the reality of this every day. The person who memorizes sports stats, tends to talk about sports. The individual who learns every different Pokémon character will share that knowledge with others. And the person who invests their time in learning all the latest news will happily converse with anyone around them about what they have learned. Our mouths show what is in our hearts (and minds). And if we have memorized God’s Word, His words are what will come out of our mouths – when someone asks for advice, when we are irritated or upset, when we don’t know how to respond to a sticky situation. Whatever the case is, we are more apt to speak Biblically, when that’s what we have fixed our minds upon. And who amongst God’s children wouldn’t want more of their speech to reflect Him?
Memorizing God’s Word will lead to His praise
Psalm 119:7 states this clearly; “I will praise you with an upright heart when I learn your righteous rules” (emphasis mine). Our inclination to genuinely, sincerely and wholeheartedly honor God will be strengthen by knowing what He has revealed in His Word. If we are God’s children, we should desire that He would be praised. Therefore, even if none of the other reasons motivate us to memorize Scripture (and I think that they should) this one should cause us to dedicate ourselves to knowing and memorizing His Word.
Memorizing Scripture can be a difficult task. It requires time, commitment and persistence. But for all the reasons listed above, (and for many other reasons that I’m sure exist), I hope more of God’s people will dedicated themselves to not only knowing God’s Word but memorizing it.
