Why Memorize Scripture?

Time Posted on November 16, 2009 User Andy

I have been often surprised at people asking me why I bother to memorize passages from the bible. These days there seems to be a focus on understanding rather than memorization. Clearly, understanding is critically important and many have done a huge disservice to the entire expository effort by failing to properly interpret and understand the bible in its correct context. Nevertheless, there are numerous reasons why memorizing the bible is vitally important. John Piper has explained why memorization is essential to the Christian life

1. Conformity to Christ

Paul wrote that “we all, . . . beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18)) If we would be changed into Christ likeness we must steadily see him. This happens in the word. “The Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:21). Bible memorization has the effect of making our gaze on Jesus steadier and clearer.

2. Daily Triumph over Sin

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. . . . I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9, 11). Paul said that we must “by the Spirit . . . put to death the [sinful] deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13). The one piece of armor used to kill is the “sword of the Spirit” which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). 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 over what sin offers.

3. Daily Triumph over Satan

When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness he recited Scripture from memory and put Satan to flight (Matthew 4:1-11).

4. Comfort and Counsel for People You Love

The times when people need you to give them comfort and counsel do not always coincide with the times you have your Bible handy. Not only that, the very word of God spoken spontaneously from your heart has unusual power. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” That is a beautiful way of saying, When the heart full of God’s love can draw on the mind full of God’s word, timely blessings flow from the mouth.

5. Communicating the Gospel to Unbelievers

Opportunities to share the gospel come when we do not have the Bible in hand. Actual verses of the Bible have their own penetrating power. And when they come from our heart, as well as from the Book, the witness is given that they are precious enough to learn. We should all be able to sum up the gospel under four main headings (1) God’s holiness/law/glory; 2) man’s sin/rebellion/disobedience; 3) Christ’s death for sinners; 4) the free gift of life by faith. Learn a verse or two relating to each of these, and be ready in season and out of season to share them.

6. Communion with God in the Enjoyment of His Person and Ways

The way we commune with (that is, fellowship with) God is by meditating on his attributes and expressing to him our thanks and admiration and love, and seeking his help to live a life that reflects the value of these attributes. Therefore, storing texts in our minds about God helps us relate to him as he really is. For example, imagine being able to call this to mind through the day:

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:8-14)

I used the word “enjoyment” intentionally when I said, “communion with God in the enjoyment of his person and ways.” Most of us are emotionally crippled—all of us, really. We do not experience God in the fullness of our emotional potential. How will that change? One way is to memorize the emotional expressions of the Bible and speak them to the Lord and to each other until they become part of who we are. For example, in Psalm 103:1, we say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” That is not a natural expression for many people. But if we memorize this and other emotional expressions from the Bible, and say them often, asking the Lord to make the emotion real in our hearts, we can actually grow into that emotion and expression. It will become part of who we are. We will be less emotionally crippled and more able to render proper praise and thanks to God.


Tag scripture memorization

4 responses to Why Memorize Scripture?

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River La Belle

I do not want to seem like I think I am smarter than Dr. Piper in any way, or judgmental, but I want to add something that fits into number 3.

James says (after speaking about worldliness), in 4.6-8 ––- "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' {Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.} Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Obviously, my focus is on verse 7 (bracketed). Submit to God humbly first, then resist the devil, and he will flee from you. We cannot do anything on our own strength, but if we are submissive to God, then we "can do all things through him who strengthens [us]"--Phil. 4.13

Otherwise, . . . my favorite point was number 4. I love counseling others and Proverbs 25:11 is an awesome verse. I'm gonna have to memorize it now! And thanks to this site, I can!!

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River La Belle

One other thing I wanted to say was similar to number 6. Another reason we should memorize Scripture, is because God commands us to! Deuteronomy 6.5-7 --- "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, 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." The Jews were an oral society, so they had to memorize their whole history up-to-date and pass it on to their children!! So we have a memorization heritage from our Christian 'ancestors'!

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GlorifyGod<3

Good, I like this!! :)

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Emily

Memorizing Scripture gives us a weapon with which to fight the devil.


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