I have hidden your word in my heart …
Psalm 119:11

 

If you grew up going to church, you most likely memorized more than a few Bible verses in  Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, or AWANA.  And if you’re like me the verses you memorized as a child roll off your tongue quite easily.

But somewhere along the way from elementary to high school, Scripture memory seemed to be emphasized less and less. Certainly, few adult studies make it a priority.

 If everyone has a smart phone or access to a computer, why bother memorizing Scripture? Is it still important in the 21^st Century?

My answer: Yes! Absolutely, YES!

I have TEN reasons why Scripture memory has been invaluable in my life. I’m sure many of our readers can come up with even more reasons. (Please add yours in the comments below!) Let’s unpack those ten reasons together.

1. Identifying and resisting sin.

The first reason is found in the rest of the verse highlighted above:

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11

God’s Word keeps us from sin. It protects us, keeps us from danger, and guides us to live within healthy boundaries. Without the Word of God, our hearts would be anarchy. Those who willfully disregard God’s loving decrees are seldom content or happy, and certainly not joyful.

God's Word keeps us from sin. It protects us, keeps us from danger, and guides us to live within healthy boundaries. Click To Tweet

Do we resent the guardrail when driving up a steep and winding mountain road, or do we welcome the security and protection it brings? Scripture is our guardrail for life! Knowing Scripture helps us know what is sin and be equipped with the “want to” to resist it.

2. Finding wise counsel.

At some point, someone will ask us for advice. Someone in our family, our community, our neighborhood, or our church is going to ask us for input regarding a life issue, challenging dilemma, or decision, big or small. It may be relational, financial, emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual. It’s an honor to be asked, but also a huge responsibility to answer. Knowing Scripture gives us a well to draw from as we ladle out advice. Matthew 12:34 says:

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks….

What’s in our heart will flow from our mouth. If we have memorized Scripture, we can ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to retrieve good Biblical wisdom as we counsel others.

3. Encouraging evangelism.

Acts 1:8 records the last words uttered by Jesus before He ascended into heaven:

…you will be my witnesses…

As followers of Christ, we have the joy of leading others to Him, as well. The truth of Scripture is the best tool for sharing the love of Jesus and introducing others to Him.

4. Guarding our thought life.

My mind is prone to wander. And sometimes it wanders into to some stinkin’ thinkin’. Mentally reciting Scripture is a good way to reign it in. Philippians 4:8 includes this challenge:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things.

5. Resisting Satan.

Jesus Himself modeled to us the power of using God’s Word to fight off the enemy. While the evil one tempted Him, He responded with Scripture. Life is a battle. Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the full armor of God. Of all those pieces of armor, there is only one offensive weapon listed: the sword.

…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…

What is your besetting sin? Would you ask God to give you a verse to fight against it?

As mommies, there are many times we respond, “Because I said so!” to that classic question: “Why?” But what if instead, we chose to let the Word do the work for us? A focus on Scripture for teaching and training highlights its authority, proves we are steady, rather than capricious, and equips our children with their own source for life and living.

When the question is, “Why can’t I watch this X-rated movie that everyone else is watching?” the wise mama can quote Psalm 101:3.

I will set before my eyes no vile thing.

And then she can follow up with a conversation about how after seeing something it cannot be unseen.

For more scripture prompts, check out Let the Word Do the Work.

7. Growing in discipleship.

I want to be spurred on to grow and change. My prayer is go deeper as a disciple of Jesus. I want to listen and learn. The today-me should be different from the last-year-me (or last-month, last-week, or yesterday-me). If I am in the Word daily, I should be accountable to what I’m learning, abiding in a continuous state of listening to the Holy Spirit and following in obedience. II Peter 3:18 challenges:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

I see no better way to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus than to abide in His Word and have it hidden in my heart. (Check out Behaving Like We Believe for more on this subject.)

I see no better way to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus than to abide in His Word and have it hidden in my heart. Click To Tweet

8. Maintaing pure motives.

As a person who grew up craving praise, acceptance, and affirmation from others, I’m particularly vulnerable to criticism, and even disappointed when my efforts are not acknowledged. But God has been kind. He has reminded through His Word that my acts of service are for HIM and not to please or receive praise from others. It is all from Him, it is all through Him, and it is all for HIM!

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do…
Ephesians 6:7-8a

9. Practicing control.

Sometimes life brings difficult circumstances and prickly people. It’s especially hard when those prickly people are brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s not always a blessing to be a quick thinker with a quick answer. My quick answers are often not the wisest. The Holy Spirit will often bring a verse to mind when I am in a sticky situation. That verse will often prompt me to close my open mouth and just be quiet. Or, sometimes, that verse will give me insight into the person in front of me, allowing me to see that person differently. God reminds me that the enemy is the enemy , not the person in front of me. I cannot control the actions and words of others, but I am responsible for controlling my response to them. The question the Holy Spirit whispers in my ear is, “Are you more controlled by me or by this person?”

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature
 but by the Spirit,
 if the Spirit of God lives in you…
Romans 8:9a

10. Delighting in praise and worship.

When my heart is so full of love for my Savior and my own words seem wholly inadequate, I can pray God’s Words back to Him!

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 
Psalm 8:1a

 There are my ten reasons. I pray at least one (or two!) resonate in your life.

I’m currently endeavoring to memorize Romans 12. You can download cards here and join me if you like.

What verse are you working to commit to memory today?