In this day and age where you can look up almost anything with the tap of a button or voice commands, how is memorizing Scripture relevant? Is memorization a practice that transcends time or has it lost its significance?
Brad Leithauser, writes about the relevance and importance of memorizing poems in The New Yorker and this is his observation.
“The best argument for verse memorization may be that it provides us with knowledge of a qualitatively and physiologically different variety: you take the poem inside you, into your brain chemistry if not your blood, and you know it at a deeper, bodily level than if you simply read it off a screen.”
Memorizing a piece of literature, a poem, or a verse holds a dear place in the heart. The way your brain interacts with it and interprets it is so personal. Recovering and reciting, then becomes a rewarding experience. However, memorizing Scripture has way more significance in the life of a believer.
Here are five benefits Christians forfeit by neglecting Scripture memorization.
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1. Readiness to Provide a Good Defense
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;" (1 Peter 3:15).
This verse calls us to be always ready to give defense to anyone who challenges our hope. And a good defense comes from deep relationship with the word of God. Unless you have identified the key verses and committed them to memory, you can't present a good validation.
There have been several occasions when during a conversation I would be reminded of a verse but didn’t know the exact words or the reference. I regret that I should have memorized it. I’ve also noticed a lot of times in question panels, when speakers are asked spontaneous questions, they are ready with the answer and better yet, the supportive Bible verses. This helps them provide a convincing and right response, because God’s word is the truth.
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"We can retrieve the verse from memory and speak truth when it needs to be heard."
Even if we aren’t going to be speaking in a panel, it is good to have the key doctrinal verses in the arsenal, so that, when the opportunity presents itself, we won’t have to scramble for words. We can retrieve the verse from memory and speak truth when it needs to be heard. Quoting the word of God will be more powerful and uplifting, when we try to speak truth and defend our faith amidst a sea of doubt and unbelief.
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2. Ability to Recall Scripture During Prayer
Emotions can come in the way of articulating a well thought out prayer. At times, we are just spent and at a loss for words. These times in prayer are one of the very practical places where you can recite Scripture.
You could recall a verse with a promise and pray, claiming it your own. You can recite a verse that talks about forgiveness before pleading forgiveness for your own. You can repeat a verse filled with adoration and worship and blend it with your own words of praise.
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For example:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). Lord, I have confidence in you that you are faithful and just to forgive me from these sins. Please forgive me Lord.
“Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13). Lord, you are worthy, and I look forward to the day when I will be able to worship you just like how the angels are worshipping you right now.
By embedding Scripture into our prayers we are in a way claiming the truths for ourselves and growing in our faith. Every time we recall a promise, we are reminded that our God is an unchanging God. If He kept promises then, He will do them now. When we recite a verse of praise, we are rendering worship.
Try to learn a few verses pertaining to each part of a prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. This way, as you transition from one part to another, the verses can provide a neat segue.
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3. Opportunities to Meditate on Scripture
Biblical meditation involves dedicated time spent in reading, reflecting, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us through God’s word. Memorizing Scripture and reciting it can be considered meditation in its simplest form.
While recalling the words from memory, you can go word by word, dwell on the subject, and appreciate the message.
A beautiful verse I often enjoy meditating is Psalm 139:14.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.”
As you repeat the words “fearfully and wonderfully made,” think about the wonderful and complicated way that your body is constructed. Dwell on God’s creations as you recite “Your works,” Try to understand what this revelation means to your “soul.”
As you memorize verses and repeat them with intention, it becomes a form of meditation. You begin to understand them better. The complex doctrinal phrases begin to take shape and reason. Your quest for God’s word can only go uphill from here.
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4. Preparation for Decision-Making
Understanding and discerning the will of God is a spiritual discipline in and of itself. Every day and every moment we are faced with decisions. Although not every decision is a moral dilemma, we come across those situations quite often.
With the word of God hidden in our hearts, these decisions can be made with a focus on God. Instead of letting our self take over, we can lean on God’s word and let Him steer the wheel.
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11
If you memorized Proverbs 15:1, when you are provoked you are reminded that “a soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” So you hold your tongue and respond with grace and maybe even silence.
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"Memorizing verses helps us make better choices..."
When you are anxious, having memorized Matthew chapter 6 helps ease your mind. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (verse 33). And immediately you are reminded that worrying doesn’t do any good and that God has promised to take care of us when we are kingdom focused.
Memorizing verses helps us make better choices when we listen to the Holy Spirit speaking within us. This in turn strengthens our spiritual life.
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5. The Joy of Encouraging and Blessing Others With Scripture
An apt verse quoted or spoken in a timely manner, can encourage a friend, uplift a coworker, or bless your loved ones. Lot of times, we commit a verse to memory when it holds meaning to us, has helped us through an ordeal, or encouraged us during a difficult time in our lives. That verse then resonates better and is forever chiseled in our hearts.
We can then gracefully pass it along to a friend in need, just as this verse calls us to do. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
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"Memorizing Scripture is a discipline..."
Memorizing Scripture is a discipline, but as you can see, a rewarding one. It has the ability to strengthen our spiritual walk and the lives of others. When we provide a defense, comfort a friend, or pray for others, we are using Scripture to make an impact in others’ lives. It can look like an ordeal, but memorizing verses is a great discipline to start. Let me know in the comments if you memorize Scripture and if you have a favorite method to memorize.
Alice William is a wife and programmer with a passion for writing. She started the blog, Walking in the Word, by journaling her Bible Studies. Her desire is to encourage other women in their walk with God with words that He has used to strengthen her own walk with Him. She enjoys Scripture memorization and hosts a challenge on her blog where she provides a weekly verse to memorize, tips, and resources to help with the challenge. Click here to learn 52 verses in 52 weeks. You can connect with Alice on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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Originally published Thursday, 12 July 2018.
