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7 Reasons to Memorize Scripture

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There are few spiritual disciplines more rewarding than memorizing Bible passages. Here are a few:

For fellowship with God

The way God chiefly communicates with us today is through His written Word. There are many ideas that people might have of God and their relationship with Him, but such thoughts beg the question: Are they true? Are they biblical? If we want to know God and fellowship with Him, we can start with the means He chose to best express His very nature, personality, character, and works. We do that through the Bible. “The Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:21). Rather than meditate on our own premonitions about who the Lord is, let us meditate on His revealed truth.

To put us in our place

Scripture also puts us in our place. It reminds us who we are (Psalm 139:14-16), and it reminds us who God is (Psalm 139:1,7,13). This is good for us; after all, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10).

For conformity to Christ

When we see Jesus on the pages of Scripture and savor Him, we are more changed into His likeness. Paul wrote that when we behold God’s glory, we “are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

For the battle against Satan, sin, and flesh

The Word of God is the saint’s weapon for slaying sin (Ephesians 6:17). When we yield this sword of the Spirit, we can “put to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13). Scripture is also our first line of defense in the guard for purity (Psalm 119:9-11). Jesus Himself, when tempted by Satan in the wilderness, did not hesitate to recite Scripture from memory. This send Satan fleeing (Matthew 4).

For the fullness of joy

The gospel message of Scripture points us to the sufficiency of God’s grace offered in Jesus—our fullness of joy. After describing the grace we receive in Jesus, John wrote, “these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4 NKJV).

For effective witnessing

Learn how to present the gospel message using Scripture, and be ready in season and out of season to share it.

“in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

Jump start your prayer life

In Genesis 31:2, the Lord God Almighty made an incredible promise to Jacob: “I will be with you.” Later, when walking through trials, Jacob cried out to God in prayer: “But you said, ‘I will surely do you good…’” (Genesis 32:12, emphasis added). Even Old Testament promises like these can fuel our Christian walk today (2 Corinthians 7:1). As heirs of God’s promises (Galatians 3:16,29), these can “jump start” our prayer life too!

Of course, there are other benefits to memorizing Scripture. Can you name some?

Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this post! Memorization has never been my strength, but through study of God’s word and the Holy Spirit’s ever present help, it is possible. This post reminds us of the incredible tool God gives us when we “Hide His Word in our hearts”.

  2. Another reason is to try to impress others with your depth and pharasitical attitude about scripture…right? Oh, you’ve seen people like this? They know the scriptures back and forth, front to back and don’t mind letting you know that they do, but they don’t bother with living them and applying them to theit lives. For instance, Jehovah’s witnesses can quote scripture like nobody’s business, but in many instances, have a warped interpretation of them. So I agree that memorizing scripture is a good idea for all of the reasons listed, but I’d say, I’d much rather apply them to my life and live by them than to just be able to quote them. How about you?

    • Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. (Psalms 119:11 NKJV)
      And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2 NKJV)
      Nobody is trying to be prideful and impress anyone – that’s a cop out
      The truth is… The more we memorize scripture and have it “hidden” in our hearts the less we sin and the more we live the way JESUS would want us to live 🙂

    • Xavier,

      The apostle James said it best when he wrote, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”-Js 1:22 We know that anything God created for good can be misused for other purposes but that doesn’t negate His purpose for it nor the good therein. Blessings to you!

    • You need to know the Word before you can apply it. You have to have the Word in your heart in order to know how God would have you handle any given situation.

    • I don’t think you can quote scripture for very long without it making a difference in your life. For the word of God is living and active (Heb 4:12).

    • If you don’t have the word in your heart then how do you propose to be a doer? You can’t be a doer if you don’t know what the scripture says about any given situation. You can’t witness or answer people’s questions if you don’t know what the scripture says. The bible says to be ready in season and out so don’t use the pharasee excuse. No scripture no growth. You will remain a baby being swayed ever each way unless the scripture is in your heart.

    • I have known many who knew scripture yet were so full of judgement they actually drove people away from Christianity. It is the word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts that allows us to fully walk in His light and be fruitful.

  3. Memorizing Scripture has constantly helped me to turn my thoughts to the Lord in many circumstances when I’d rather turn to myself or focus on my trials/temptations. Of course, like Xavier said, we can do this with pride yet if that’s the source of our Scripture memorization, the Lord will either humble us through that in some way, for He humbles the exalted, or the Scripture memory will not bear fruit in that person’s life (mostly again because of pride.) Yet, we can trust the Lord to use His word for His purposes in His way (Isaiah 55:8-11).

    • Kim,

      Amen! Brings to mind another scripture from James that states, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble…””

  4. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God (1John 1:1). How better a reason to learn, read, study, meditate and memorize the Word of God.

  6. I want to desperately memorize scipture but am having a difficult time,not sure if its my age or just dumbness or stupidity so I continue to live on my faith.

    • I can relate Camen. I attempt to read and understand and live the bible and hopefully one day I’ll be able to quote it verbetim, chapter and verse but I tend to put the most of my time soaking in the message rather than parroting. I still have the memorization goal though.

      God bless you and NO you are not dumb or stupid. Line upon line, precept upon precept and we all will arrive just where God wants us to be. I think we’d all agree that the purpose of the bible is having a right relationship with God. 🙂

    • I write the scripture I am going to memorize on an index card and I keep it in my pocket and I go over it, learning line by line throughout the day until I know it. I work on that one piece of Scripture for at least a week and try to refresh and re-remember it several times a year. Blessings on your seeking heart!

  7. I struggling with memorization not sure the cause but it won’t stick, maybe due to my age or dumbness. I have a difficult time learning so I live in faith.

    • Camen, Pray and ask the Father to Etch the Scripture you read into your heart, and read aloud to yourself. The Hearing of Word, even by your own voice will change things.:) It did for me.

      • P.S. Camen, Don’t speak those things over yourself God made you just as you are 🙂 He will help you when you reach out to Him For help. 🙂

        • I am very appreciative of all your helpful counsel. I’ve been truly inspired and uplifted by your reply.I will continue to strive in memorization of scripture, God Bless You

      • Excellent point Donna! The Jews will always stand when they read or quote scripture. They will say it three times, each time increasing in volume and feeling for the text.

        Speaking the Word out loud is POWERFUL. What we think cannot be known by satan and demons. Only God is omnipotent and able to read the thoughts of man, so it stands to reason that quoting scripture out loud is a VERY powerful weapon against satan as well as a great way to say and hear God’s word.

        • P.S. Also, we never know when and where satan will attack us, so memorizing scripture helps in moments of spiritual conflict. If I’ve memorized the 23rd Psalm for example and I get in a car wreck I can quote scripture without having to have my bible present.

          Find and memorize power scriptures and state them and the devil will flee.

    • A very good tool to memorize scripture is:
      Scripture Typer.com
      It is a web-site for anyone who wants help in memorizing.

  9. Application is most important. After Salvation most important is to apply the command to memorize. If you can find your way to work and back you can memorize. Key… Is one phrase at a time.

  10. Maybe you should check these video’s for extra encouragment:
    * Sermon on the mount (from memory) by Keith Daniel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGp_p8vScYo
    * If my Word abides in you by John Piper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOkLP6VHtWk
    * Scripture Memory How/Why – Bob Jennings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oufNtUev04
    * Ryan Ferguson recites Psalm 22: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF5vm0b8dWY
    * Ryan Ferguson Recites Hebrews 9 and 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tua78-AtEqc
    * Fighter Verse app: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWLAWqKAlNk
    * Fighter Verse song ministry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuHz6iabEvU

    And see the following websites:
    * http://fighterverses.com/
    * http://www.challies.com/articles/memorizing-scripture-an-interview

  11. Scripture was not written with reference numbers beside them. What in heavens name did believers do before the numbers were inserted?
    J.

    • That’s true Jerry. They memorized the whole Toarah by the time they were twelve. If they showed promise they went on with there studies. If not they went into a trade. If so they could become Rabbi’s. The women memorized Psalms and Proverbs.

  12. That’s a good question. I have to admit I THINK it did but unfortunately I think the Jews have all but rejected the Torah and the bible in whole and venerated their “Oral” traditions over the written Mosaic law. Once the temple was destroyed they had no place to do animal sacrifices as an atonement for sin and they recreated their religion to be about good works.

    I think they did, like we can and have sometimes done, placed lofty interpretation over and above scripture. In other words, I like Chuck Missler but I can become a Missler-ite instead of reading scripture and letting the Holy Spirit lead me into all truth. Or we can just sit in church and let preachers tell us what to believe and let our bibles become dust covered.

    I’ve found often that I disagree with a persons interpretation but I’ve never disagreed with the bible. I may read scripture and just get one gem of understanding but then I read it again and the Holy Spirit leads me to more truth with each reading and just chasing down in the bible only each thread of insight. Reading the bible is way cool and always leads you in right directions. Listening to and trying to figure out everyone else’s beliefs about what the bible “really” says is a slippery slope to mass confusion.

  13. eerr correction: I think it did but continue but then Jews started venerating “oral” traditions over the Torah.

    Sorry, I wasn’t clear in my first sentance.
    :0?

  17. Thanks Jerry,
    I agree with you. “I think!” LOL Interesting that the Jewish sites make no mention of Messianic Judaism isn’t it? When I was reading it I thought, Wow these folks seem to embrace anything and everything EXCEPT the true Messiah.
    Be blessed and well brother!
    Shalom

    • Tess,

      Just floating through this morning and was led here by the Spirit.

      Ponder this, concerning what the word says about what you have spoke of in your above thought.

      Romans 11:7-11 and Deut 29:4-
      As it is written these things would happen.

      However Praise “YHWH” I always remember this and find my peace and know they will always be His.
      Gen 12:3
      And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

      I praise God for thier actions for because of them I am free and Chosen as well. 🙂

      I find as we have been sent into many various Jewish encounters and Messianic encounters or situations in our travels they know the law by heart, however most of the time Mercy/Grace elude them. I pray for His will always as in the end they will have the veil removed.

      Love/Peace/Liberty/Grace/Mercy/Life
      Spoke over you my lovely Sis
      Donna

  18. Thank you sweet Sis-In-Christ. You’re words always bless me. We should live the Good News and share it with others and let Him speak to hearts. He does that so well. I know He did with me and if I spent each day on my knees attempting to tell Him just how thankful I am, I’d never be able to say it enough, or well enough, or joyfully enough.

    I got such a beautiful gift today. A dear friend donated many touch, feel and see books and pop-up books to the organization I’m blessed to work for. And a great number of bible bookmarks. How could she have known I had been praying for just these types of things for the kiddo’s to be able to enjoy?! My community is VERY poor and her sweet gift, given from the heart meant so much to me. I can’t wait to see their little faces when they come in and take the little books over to the little table. I have a little decorated multi-drawer box that I put candies in. When each come in I tell them if they are good they can have a candy before they leave. I let them pick a drawer regardless. If they are especially good I give them two. One little darlen gave one piece to his mom. He was 3.

    We have such a wonderful GOD!

    Thanks so much for your wonderful post.
    Your feet sure do sparkle! Isaiah 52:7

    • Tess,

      What a wonderful Love note from our beloved Daddy for you an answered prayer :). To see the True Living God through the eyes of a child is such a glorious thing. The Kingdom Of Heaven is so beautiful……

      The sparkle of light that twinkles in thier eyes when they smile is seeing Christ in this world.

      I am ever reminded how I am only dust and I am humbly gracious he chose to Share His Love with me…

      I went to Godlink and sent note, well at least I think I did. I want to chat outside here as I feel Daddy connected our Spirits for His Glory and Praise, and to lift each otehr up in a dry and dark world as we walk in His Light with our Lamos full of oil, His Oil, Fresh Oil !

      I am excited about next week we are having a celebration of Yeshua our King on Passover evening and First Fruits, and on into the next week as the Spirit Leads. The Lord recently blessed us with our promised land and chose us to be the stewards of it, so it’s our first feast on the river there. Pray He meets us there and frees many. I know there will be some awakened there and others will be set free…

      Donna

  20. While I will wholeheartedly agree with the idea of memorizing scripture for the above listed reasons, I’ve gone at this differently.
    I can only suppose that this is due to the Holy Spirit giving me what I can only guess is the gift of recall, I’ve only read the bible, on a fairly regular basis, early on, and daily now for the past 8-9 years.
    I do not read to memorize. I read to expose myself to the material. It’s my belief, after 35 years of following Jesus that there is a “better” way of memorizing scripture. I will not deny memorization is important. I however am not one who is good at memorizing. I can, but it’s really hard, and takes far more effort than the manual way.
    The way I do it now, recall is on an as needed basis. Both mine, and when I share the gospel. I do not however have to work hard at it. It literally comes naturally….. super-naturally, natural.
    I have noticed a problem that has arisen with this…. I make a fair amount of people really angry– including, or, especially fellow believers. I have been told I know too much. I’ve been accused of showing off. It seems that they get jealous. I’ve told them that I do not memorize, and that God has given this to me– John 14:26, 16:12-15. I take this to heart. Also, Matthew 13:52.
    I find myself often feeling like someone who’s been given a limitless credit card that I can use at will. I have to say…. it’s a lot of fun. Sometimes, it gets scary too.

    I have been learning, more recently, that the idea of giving applies to this too. The more I give, the more I receive back. I cannot give enough away. I have also found that if I stop doing so…. that fire that Jeremiah talked about, when he wanted to stop. He felt like God’s Word burned as a fire in his bosom. I feel like this too. Jer 20:9 (Thank God for BLB’s search tool).

    I suppose too, it’s incredibly important to give some credit to the folks here at BLB. The database search tool they have is incredible. Ok… awesome! I use this for my online discussions, regularly, and as often as possible.

    I have learned the hard way too that I cannot take credit for this level of recall. Back in the early 80’s, a number of friends kept telling me that my capacity for recall was phenomenal. I kept trying to tell them I’m not THAT good, but it just wouldn’t stop. One day I finally caved, and took credit for it……

    o…..u….c….h….!!!

    Ever want to eat humble pie with God– take credit for one of His gifts! I spent 6 months without any recall whatsoever.

    So….. when God gives you a gift… even when it seems you might be “d-man”, keep thanking him for it.

    God gives recall. I’ll agree beyond John 14, and 16, I don’t see it…. yet. But those two are directly from Jesus.