Monday, March 14, 2016

Memorizing Scripture

Dallas Willard, professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California, wrote, “Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. That’s where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization.”

For those who say or think that they cannot memorize Scripture...the fact is,we can and do memorize all the time. We memorize people's names, television commercials, directions to places we frequent, credit card numbers, and phone numbers. How? We remember information that is important to us or that we frequently use or repeat. Scripture memorization is no different. It requires motivation and regular, systematic review.

Jesus openly stated that our spiritual existence depends upon the word of God: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) The words of God are found in only one place: the Bible. Also, according to the Apostle Peter one of our ongoing responsibilities is to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (2 Peter 3:18) and that we are to "to make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

So here are a few reasons why so many have viewed Scripture memorization as so essential to the Christian life.

1. Becoming Like Jesus

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 Christlikeness, 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 Victory over Sin & Temptation

“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). The one piece of armor used to kill is the “sword of the Spirit” which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).  When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he recited Scripture from memory and put Satan to flight (Matthew 4:1-11).

3. Comfort & Encouragement for Others

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.”

4. Communicating the Gospel

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, especially when they come from our heart, as well as from the Book!  We should all be able to sum up the gospel under four main headings: 1) God’s holiness & glory; 2) man’s sin & disobedience; 3) Christ’s death for sinners; 4) the free gift of grace by faith. Learn a verse or two relating to each of these, and be ready to share them.

5. A Deeper Relationship With God

One of the ways we grow in relationship 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.  Storing texts in our minds about God helps us relate to him as he really is!

For example, if you deal with a high degree of stress and anxiety in your job, imagine that you had passages like Philippians 4:6-7 embedded in your memory that you could recall and recite to yourself at any time...”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

There are many other reasons for memorizing Scripture. I hope you find them in the actual practice!

Pastor Jeff Frazier