10 Biblical Reasons to Memorize Scripture
- Kevin Halloran KevinHalloran.net
- Updated Nov 01, 2016
Christians have the awesome privilege of knowing God’s heart through the Bible. We’re able to see God’s power, his hatred towards sin, and his grace throughout the Scriptures. God’s Word is a life-changing book with a life-transforming message.
One way to spur on God’s transforming work through his Word is by memorizing the Scriptures. (A mere head-knowledge of Scripture will not lead to our transformation, but rather taking Scripture to heart through faith and obedience.)
Here are ten biblical reasons for memorizing Scripture.
1. Jesus memorized Scripture.
Jesus quoted the Old Testament frequently in his life and ministry. He quoted from 24 different books roughly 180 times! It’s clear that he thought of the Scriptures as the ultimate authority in life and a way to understand the heart and desires of God. Why would we not follow Jesus by knowing and trusting Scripture the way he did?
2. We are called to memorize Scripture.
Colossians 3:16 tells us to “let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9 tells us to bind God’s law on our foreheads, teach it to our children, talk about it wherever we go, and make it an integral part of our lives. We must know Scripture first before we can teach it or apply it as God desires.
3. Memorizing Scripture renews our mind and transforms our life.
Are you one of those people who has to write everything down so that you don’t forget? God knows that we cannot remember or keep his commands without being reminded of them frequently. This is one reason he told us to renew our minds in the Scriptures daily. He already wrote down for us what we need to know!
Romans 12:2 says,
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Keeping the truth of Scripture fresh in our minds helps us in the transformational process that God desires.
4. Memorizing Scripture helps against temptation.
In Jesus’ time of temptation in the wilderness, he countered Satan’s deceitful words with words of truth found in Scripture. Even though Jesus is himself the Word of God, he used the written Word of God for battling temptation.
The Psalmist understood the Word’s power in battling temptation: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
The armor of God, as mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-20, only mentions one offensive weapon: “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” We are given a powerful offensive weapon to cut down false and tempting words, putting them to death with words of truth. Knowing Bible verses about temptation, the enemy, and our spiritual armor is exactly like wielding a powerful weapon during temptation. The Word has power!
How can you fight lies if you don’t have the Word in your heart and on your mind at all times? Do you ever feel like you are going to battle without any weapons? Fighting against temptation is just another reason for the study of Scripture and Scripture memorization.
5. Memorizing Scripture keeps us pure, helping us live in obedience.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (Psalm 119:9)
Knowing God’s Word through the memorization of Bible verses is a great way to guard your life and actions according to God’s Word. It is a preventative method for avoiding temptation, because when God’s Word is fresh in your mind, you will more easily avoid temptation.
6. Memorizing Scripture makes us prosper and successful.
This promise is shown in Joshua 1:8:
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
It is vital to remember that God’s definition of being prosperous and successful is far different from the world’s definition. This is not a guarantee that we will automatically have everything we want, but promises a spiritual blessing, which is so much greater.
Psalm 1 describes a man who delights in the law of the Lord by meditating on it. This leads to prospering and being compared to a tree planted by streams of water that bears fruit.
7. Memorizing Scripture allows us to more readily encourage believers.
Memorizing Scripture gives believers a great opportunity to share it with other believers and encourage them to live in obedience, fight temptation, renew their minds, and conform more to the person of Christ.
Paul exhorts the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 to be ready to encourage other believers with the truth. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all Scripture is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. Knowing Scripture is a vital part of ministering to others.
8. Memorizing Scripture allows us to share with unbelievers better.
We are urged in 1 Peter 3:15 to always be ready to give a defense for our hope in Christ. We should memorize Scripture so we can walk unbelievers through the salvation message and help them understand their sin and need for a Savior. Speaking God’s words instead of our own will give our message more authority and will harness the power that is in the Word of God (Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 4:12; Jeremiah 23:29).
9. Memorizing Scripture gives us better understanding of God and his will.
When we know God’s Word and obey it, we are able to experience God at a deeper level and experience the freedom that comes only through obedience (John 8:31-32; 14:21). The deeper we know God, the deeper we know his will for us. Romans 12:2 says that when we renew our minds and are transformed, we will be able to “discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
What Christian does not want a better understanding of God and his perfect will?
10. Memorizing Scripture makes us wise.
The Bible is a book of tremendous wisdom that can have an impact on every area of our life. By memorizing the Scripture we are able to have wisdom with us at all times. Luke 2:52 says that even Jesus grew in wisdom during his earthly life. Why should we not do the same?
What are your best methods of memorization?
This article originally appeared on UnlockingTheBible.org. Used with permission.
Publication date: November 1, 2016
Image courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
