The Value of Memorizing Scripture

By Dr. Charles F. Stanley

The world constantly pressures us to adopt a way of thinking that is contrary to God’s Word. Unless you and I make some effort to combat this onslaught of propaganda, we will fall victim to its debilitating poison. Satan wants us to accept his lies uncritically and, as a result, leave ourselves vulnerable to temptation.

One of the best ways to counter the Devil’s attack is to fill your mind with Scripture. You need an arsenal of memorized verses, deeply rooted in your heart, to effectively combat his agenda (Ps. 119:11). If you have to dig up verses out of the caverns of your mind in a moment of temptation, they will do you no good. They need to be fresh in your thinking, and flowing from the core of who you are.

The process of Bible memorization is never effortless—like most worthwhile things, internalizing God’s Word costs us something. Here are a few pointers to make it easier for you:

1. Learn to exchange Satan’s lies for God’s truth. Choose verses that focus on the areas in which you are most tempted. For example, everyone should have several verses memorized that have to do with lust or immorality. We are bombarded at every turn with the promise of pleasure through illicit sex. What a lie! Yet all of us have the potential to buy into that way of thinking and fall into sin.

I also believe we should memorize verses about the dangers of gossip (James 1:26) and a Christian’s duty to obey the government (1 Peter 2:13-15). When we know specific scriptures to combat Satan’s lies, his logic will fall apart under the scrutiny of God’s Word.

2. Set small goals at first. One verse a week is enough to begin. Don’t set out to memorize an entire book of the Bible, because there’s a good chance you will fail  and then give up completely. Remember, the ultimate goal is not to memorize Scripture, but to live a godly life because you have God’s Word hidden in your heart. 

3. Review the verses you memorize so that they become part of your long-term memory. Use index cards to keep all your verses together. When you have a few moments between appointments or tasks, you can pull your cards out and review them. Verses that correspond with the temptations you face will stick most readily in your mind.  

4. Personalize the Scripture you memorize. Where appropriate, substitute your name or a personal pronoun to make the verse apply to you. For instance, say, “Lord, I choose to set my mind on things above and not on things on earth, for I have died and my life is hidden with Christ in God.” Or, “Lord, I am casting all my cares on You, for I know You care for me.”

5. Quote the verses audibly when you are tempted. Why? First, I do not believe Satan and his host can read our minds. He can put ideas there, but Scripture does not indicate he can read your thoughts. In terms of challenging the Devil and putting him in his place, I am not convinced that mentally reviewing verses does as much good as voicing them.

Second, it shifts the tension from an internal conflict to an external one. We tend to latch on to temptation emotionally and think, This is the way I am. Otherwise, why would I feel this way? When you speak the truth, it reminds you that your enemy is the Devil. He roams around like a lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan would rather have you internalize the battle so he can remain anonymous. Even when we have made bad choices and become “our own worst enemy,” it is extremely helpful to pronounce the truth out loud.

The last reason to express the truth audibly when tempted is that Jesus did so. There are times when you will have to whisper, and other times you can speak at a normal volume. You may feel silly the first time you try this, but you will notice an immediate difference when you do. As I begin speaking the truth aloud, I often feel a sense of courage and conviction sweeping over me. Usually, this turns to joy, and what started out as a bad thing becomes a time of praise and rejoicing.

Christians get bombarded by daily pressures to adopt the standards of this world. When we memorize God’s Word, we realign our thoughts with the Lord’s values and standards. Refreshing your mind with His perfect eternal perspective will help you resist the temptation to conform to the world (Romans 12:2). Then you won’t fall prey to Satan’s lies.

Maximizing Your Memory

What happens when you fill your mind with soul-strengthening words? - by Tonya Stoneman

My son recently asked how grownups deal with terrible and unexpected situations. I told him we pray. A discussion ensued about the difference between bedside prayers and those uttered in the heat of the moment, when the car is careening from the roadway or we're late for a meeting. Are both kinds of prayers equally effective?

I believe the answer to that question has to do, in part, with our memory. Yes, God hears the prayers of His people - even believers who don't know Him very well. But if we have a reservoir of faith built up through the discipline of memorizing Scripture, we benefit more from the act of praying. Having biblical truth stored in our minds and hearts may not change God's response to our supplications, but the Holy Spirit works through the message powerfully to change us.

"One thing has become clear to scientists: memory is absolutely crucial to our consciousness," says Janellen Huttenlocher, professor of psychology at the University of Chicago. "There's almost nothing you do, from perception to thinking, that doesn't draw continuously on your memory: Assuming this is true, it stands to reason that if a person's memory is infused with Scripture, his or her consciousness will be informed by God's Word. The Bible tells us to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Rom. 12:22) And how much more, then, is such transformation possible when we commit Scripture to memory?

Think about it: how do you know what you know? The knowledge you have is available to you now because of your previous experiences. Even before you finish reading this sentence, its first few words are already part of the past. And by the time you reach the end of this article, you'll have to draw on your memory to decide what you think of it. This is the case with everything in your life. Your memory provides a framework for you to interpret and interact with the world. it allows you to file information and events as past, present, or future.

Now, consider your prayers. When we petition God for the future, we draw on memories of what we know about His character and our past experiences with Him. This enables us to commune with Him in the present. The more time we've spent with Him. the more memories we have and the more knowledge we have about Him, the richer our prayers.

THE CASE FOR MEMORIZATION

Asked if memorizing Scripture enables her to live according the Bible's dictates, Sophie La Fleur - 17 year old winner of the Chairman's Oratory Award at the 2009 Bible Bee - said, "Scripture is so ingrained in my heart that I can just say it. I know it without looking it up. It becomes so much more a part of every moment of your life. As you lie down and go to sleep, whenever it's quiet, verses will come to mind."

Theologian John Piper, an ardent proponent of memorizing Scripture, tells a story about his initial motivation for doing so. Early in his career, he was called to a hospital when a good friend's wife suffered a heart attack. About 20 family members huddled together waiting to hear if the woman was alive or dead. Piper's friend embraced him and asked for a word from the Lord. "My mind went blank. It was horrible," he recalls. "If I had my Bible I would have opened it to a psalm." That night, Piper dropped to his knees and promised God he would never again find himself in such a situation He opened the Bible to Psalm 46 and began memorizing:  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble..." (v.1) To this day, he can quote the entire psalm verbatim.

Moses instructed Israel: "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deut 6:6-9)

Margaret Taylor, wife of Living Bible translator Ken Taylor, has spent most of her life attempting to carry out this command by helping children internalize God's Word. In fact, the Living Bible came about as a result of her husband''s vision to reword Scripture so children could more easily understand it.

In Touch magazine spoke with Margaret in 2005 about the importance of learning Scripture by heart and the ability of young children to do so. "Our grandson and his wife have five children," she said. "They memorized Isaiah 53 and recited it for us at Christmastime." According to Taylor, the youngest weren't expected to memorize, but the four year old learned the passage simply from hearing his siblings repeat it so often. "The children [don't] necessarily [understand], " Taylor said. "But that doesn't matter as long as the verse gets inside them. Later they will [understand], and they will be grateful."

MULTIPLE BENEFITS 

The difference between getting to know God through simple Bible reading and investing time in Scripture memorization and recitation is subtle at first glance, but it has a profound effect. Instead of reading the text through the lens of your circumstances, the process of memorizing allows you to meditate on the passage itself, which God uses to bring applications into your mind. Pretty soon, you'll discover that related and supporting verses you've previously committed to memory will surface in your mind - ones that apply specifically to your situation - yielding connections and insight you wouldn't have ordinarily considered.

There are other benefits, as well. Memorizing Bible passages helps us in a very real way to overcome daily struggles. When anxiety, discouragement, low self-esteem, or destructive thoughts make their way into our minds, a healthy storehouse of soul-strengthening words can quell them. Christ himself overcame Satan's temptations in the desert by recalling words of Scripture. We can draw on that same strength when it resides within us. And, if we're inclined, we can use it to minister to others.

It's easy to think of memorization as an activity reserved for children and Bible clubs. But the discipline itself is excellent for anyone who desires to grow closer to God. In fact, the older you get, the more you should exercise memorization skills. And its all that much better when the subject of focus ministers to your soul as well. Committing Scripture memory creates a matrix in us that can generate a deeper understanding of God and a more intimate fellowship with Him. After all, the Lord's primary means of communicating with us is through the Bible. The more we embrace His Word, the more we learn His ways and draw closer to Him.

(In a nutshell...)

(Scriptures for Memorization)
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from Intouch magazine June 2011 issue

Other resources: Lemonich, Michael D., 'Smart Genes?," TIME, Sept. 13, 1999

Blake, Meredith, "The Bible Bee: Where the Word becomes Sport", Atlantic Monthly, Dec. 18, 2010.

Maximizing Your Memory

How much Scripture should I memorize?

It's different for everyone. But you should memorize something. Begin by choosing a collection of texts that hold special meaning for you or verses you want to have ready for various situations. Start off small and build from there. 

How long will it take?

Again, this is different for everyone. Yet one thing is certain: if you don't review, you'll forget. Memorizing anything takes work and commitment. But this is an endeavor that will strengthen you for the battles of life, lift your spirits when they're low, allow you to minister to others, and set you on a sure path.

Should I use a particular method?

There are many techniques for committing information to memory. You'll have to come up with a system that works for your personally. The tried-and-true flash card method is among the most common., and the cards are easy to carry wherever you go. Technology today makes storing and retrieving verses easy. Here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to choose a method that will for you:

ACCOUNTABILITY HELPS. Consider embarking on this journey with a partner, who will hold you to it. Giving up or setting aside your goals is too easy when nobody knows what' you've set out to do. 


GOALS AND REWARDS HELP. Decide how much Scripture you will memorize, and set a deadline. When you can recite the passage without error, reward yourself.

BE REALISTIC.  Don't set out to memorize the entire book of Job in one week. Take on a few verses at a time, and give yourself time to let those sink in.

SET A ROUTINE. Consistency is helpful: try working on memory verses during the same part of each day - perhaps during your commute or after quiet time.

How do I keep from losing what I've memorized?

Review. Once you've memorized a scripture and rewarded yourself, plan to go over it on a regular basis. As with many things in life, you use it or lose it.
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excerpt from Intouch Magazine, June 2011 issue "Maximizing Your Memory"

Favorite Scriptures of Thought

The verses below are just some of my favorite Scriptures. I will keep adding as the days go by. I used the New American Standard Bible version. For easier memorization, I decided to place three Scriptures a day.

DAY 1

Philippians 4:13 - Christ, the Strengthener
"I can do everything through Him (Christ) who strengthens me."

John 3:16 - The magnitude of God's love

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 16:33 - I have overcome the WORLD!
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

DAY 2

^{Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart}

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.  

Matthew 6:31-33 - Seek first the kingdom of God...

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles (pagans) eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) - The Lord's plans to those who believe...

'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, '

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future'

DAY 3

ROMANS 8:28 - God causes all things to work together for good...

'And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who were called according to His purpose'

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 - Anyone in Christ is a new creature

Therefore if anyone is in Christ,, he is a new creature; the old things passed way; behold, new things have come.

ISAIAH 53:18-19 - See, I am doing a new thing!

Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland'.

DAY 4

Exodus 14:13

"...Don't be afraid. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you today." 

Isaiah 40:31 - Those who wait in the Lord..

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Proverbs 3:24-26 

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Do not be afraid of sudden fear

Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;

For the LORD will be your confidence

And will keep your foot from being caught

Benefitting from the Scriptures

In the life of a believer, the Bible:

Guides

'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path' (Psalm 119: 105)

Gives Wisdom

'Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have insight than all of my teachers, For your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts.' (Psalm 119: 98-100) 

Strengthens

'My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word'  (Psalm 119: 28)

Provides Peace

'Those who love your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble' (Psalm 119:165) 

Reveal Hearts
'For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.' (Hebrew 4:12-13)

Protects from Sin
'How can a young man keep his way pure? With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. You have word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You' (Psalm 119:9-11)

Produces Hope
'Remember the word to Your servant, in which you have made me hope.' (Psalm 119:49)

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Excerpt from InTouch Magazines June 2011 'Transformed by the Word'