4 Reasons to Memorize Scripturefeatured

By Steph Haugen

Scripture memory. What comes to mind when you think about these two words? I can visualize two camps of people reading this right now: one group excited, grabbing a pen and paper, maybe some coffee, to take notes. The other, muttering under their breath with a heaping dose of guilt because they don’t measure up to so-and-so “good” Christian saying, “Yeah, right, I can’t even remember what I need at the grocery store let alone memorize Scripture.”

Please, don’t quit reading if you are in the second camp……I was there too. Take heart that there is One who matters ultimately, who has bought us at a price, and who has redeemed, restored and declared through His Word that we cannot earn a lick of it (salvation), even if we memorize the entire Bible.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

So why memorize, and how in the world do I incorporate memorization into my life when it seems like a million other things are screaming for attention? I’ll pause here so my mommy friends can attend to the screaming, and possibly administer first aid……..

Why Memorize?

Here are four reasons why memorizing is beneficial to our daily walk with the Lord:

Counsel/witnessing. If we are alive and have others in our lives who either know Jesus or don’t, we’ll be somebody’s counselor, sometime. Yes, we are the temple (1 Corinthians 3:16) of the Spirit of truth (John 16:13), praise God! But, how much more effectively can we counsel those in our lives with the truths contained in God’s living word (Hebrews 4:12) by actively participating in memorizing those truths so we can point others who are hurting or lost to the One who has borne all of their burdens (Hebrews 12:3)? We know the way to be reconciled (John 14:4, 6) and are called to be ambassadors of this truth (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

Meditating. Memorizing Scripture helps us to eat more slowly and properly digest the truths contained in it and better apply them to our lives. As we savor each bite by meditating on the Word of God, truths move from our brain to our heart, and then ultimately those truths move out to the world around us as the good works that God has prepared for us beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

Fighting sin. Worry, unbelief (Mark 9:23-24), lies from the adversary (1 Peter 5:8)…the list is too numerous to count. Every day a battle rages inside of us (Jeremiah 17:9) and against rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers over this present darkness and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). How can we defend ourselves in this battle? One of the answers is found in Ephesians 6:10-20.

Renewal of our minds. Just as we are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthian 5:17) we are being renewed in the spirit of our minds (Ephesians 4:22-24). Scripture memory is the best way to take an active, intentional role in participating with the miracle of sanctification that is happening in our lives as Christ-followers each and every day. We are not to 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 (Romans 12:2).

Where do I start?

Sprinkled throughout this post, you’ve seen references cited. Many of the verses that I’ve referred to have been from my time spent memorizing in which I utilized the Topical Memory System (TMS): navigators.org. For me, I began the discipline of memorizing using TMS paired with the accountability of doing this in a group. I need someone who is going to ask me to say my verses to them!

Memorizing is work, it’s a discipline that does require some sweat equity, but the benefits are eternal (Matthew 6:19-21). Anyone, especially busy parents can benefit from Desiring God’s Fighter Verses: fighterverses.com. I was recently blessed to hear our Missional Community leaders recite (singing no less!) one of their family’s fighter verses that they’ve learned together. They have little kids; and it was a perfect example of how to incorporate memorization into normal, busy everyday life.

For those who are looking to begin memorizing larger portions of Scripture, consider the book, His Word in My Heart: Memorizing Scripture For a Closer Walk With God, from author Janet Pope: www.janetpope.org/books/.

As we go from here, back into the fray of life, may I encourage you with the following verses as you ponder thoughts about memorizing:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3: 20-21).