Christians who wish to be strong in faith should memorize scripture. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Jerry Bridges wrote that “The Word, stored in the heart, provides a mental depository for the Holy Spirit to use to mediate His grace to us, whatever our need for grace might be.”
When I was a young boy, my dear mother encouraged me to memorize Bible verses. These helped me grow in my early understanding of God and his gift of salvation. Not only that, she set a good example herself, systematically using a plan of scripture memory. I remember seeing her Bible verse cards on the window sill above the kitchen sink in our little house on Duncan Avenue in Chattanooga. She reviewed her verses as she went about her household chores. She often quoted verses as she tucked me into bed at night.
I am sure she and my dad took to heart Moses’ words to the nation Israel, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children…” (Deuteronomy 6:6).
In my ministry of personal discipleship through the years, I have emphasized the importance of scripture memory. I have noticed that this has been one of the most important ways men have grown stronger in faith and service. Here are a few reasons why I think this practice is important for the spiritual growth of any Christian.
Assurance of salvation
When a person trusts Christ as savior, salvation is promised as a free gift. That gift is received by faith alone. It is faith in the promises of God that will continue to assure our hearts that our sins are forgiven and we are secure in Christ. is necessary to know those promises, and to rest on them. I recommend memorizing 1 John 5:11-12 for assurance.
Resistance to temptation and sin
When doubts afflict us, or when Satan tempts us, the word of God is “the sword of the Spirit” by which we defeat them. Our Lord Jesus was tempted by the devil and he defeated him by quoting scripture. John Piper wrote, “As sin lures the body into sinful action, we call to mind a Christ-revealing word of scripture and slay the temptation with the superior worth and beauty of Christ…” 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a rather long verse but it is a powerful promise for Christians to claim in the battle against sin.
Guidance
Decision-making in the ordinary course of life often presents us with important choices. We need the wisdom of God. It is helpful to memorize and rely on the promises of guidance we find in scriptures such as James 1:5 or Proverbs 3:5-6. This is not magical thinking, but an intensely practical reality. God has promised that his inspired word would be a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).
Comfort in times of trouble
The Bible is full of promises that bring hope and consolation. There are hundreds of verses that Christians have relied upon in times of trouble. Philippians 4:6-7, for example, promise to exchange our anxiety for God’s peace. Lately, I have been memorizing Lamentations 3:22-23.
Authority in our witness
We have good news to share and we are just the ones to share it. Any Christian can do this by memorizing a few key verses on the gospel. The gospel itself is the “power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). It is possible to share the offer of salvation with a friend by quoting verses such as Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, and John 5:24. The authority is in the word of God, not in our persuasiveness or salesmanship.
For these reasons and others, Christians of all ages should hide God’s word in their hearts. I think it is time for Sunday school teachers, Christian school teachers, church student ministry leaders, Christian camp counselors, support group ministries, faith-based drug and alcohol treatment programs, discipleship leaders and others, to place a renewed emphasis on helping people memorize God’s word.
We forget much of what we hear, we retain more of what we read, but we remember 100% of what we memorize.
My good friend Dr. Bob Kanary, an Oklahoma City pastor, has written the attached article on the value of scripture memorization. I hope you will take it to heart. Why Memorize Scripture?
