Scripture Memory for All of Life
How often do you or those you love struggle with anger, anxiety, lust, despair, and other thought patterns that can lead away from Colossians 3:2? Knowing Christ is to be our all in all for all things, Paul’s much needed reminder is this: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” How is it possible for our minds to be continually set on heavenly things? In part, Paul answers a few verses later in Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom…” By implication, we minister biblical truths to one another as the overflow of the scriptures that saturate our minds and stir our affections to see Christ exalted in our lives—even in the face of temptations and adversities.
The Vitality of Scripture Memory for All of Life
How is it that our minds can so easily turn from gospel truths to despairing, anxious, or even the temptation towards self-destructive thoughts and actions? James 1:14-15 says, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” In this world, according to Proverbs 4:23, it is necessary to “keep your heart with all vigilance,” for as 1 John 5:19 says, “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” You have likely heard it said that our three great enemies are the devil, the world, and the flesh. Certainly the devil uses the worldliness of the world to appeal to fleshly desires with the purpose of deceiving and destroying the people of God. What then are we to do? What provision do we have to stand against the schemes of the evil one?
John Bunyan illustrates well, in Pilgrim’s Progress, God’s provision for His people in the adversity-filled journey through this world. Christian, having enjoyed and been encouraged by his fellowship at Palace Beautiful (the church) is taken to the Armory. There he is given the armor of God, which he almost immediately finds necessary as his journey continues and he descends into the Valley of Humiliation. Christian encounters none other than Apollyon, who through enticement, harassment, and then a brutal assault seeks to put an end to Christian’s journey. When all seems lost for Christian, being beaten down and despairing, he was able to regain his grasp on his sword. In a confident thrust of the sword into Apollyon he declared: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).¹
How is it that Christian overcame Apollyon? Was Bunyan not pointing his readers to the same sword which Jesus Christ Himself used when tempted by Satan after forty days of fasting in the wilderness? The sword is none other than the very Word of God, with which Christ overcame each temptation of the devil when He said in Matthew 4, “For it is written…” Should we not also expect various temptations and assaults from the evil one today? Certainly! Therefore, should we not consider how Jesus was able to appropriate the Scriptures word for word in accordance with each temptation? Would He not have committed them to memory? If Jesus utilized the Scriptures from memory in resisting temptation and in obeying His Father’s will, how much more do we, with an inherent sinful nature, need God’s Word stored up in our hearts (Psalm 119:9-11)?
As Andrew Davis rightly observes, “Through memorization, we are able to stand in the moment of temptation through ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God’ (Eph. 6:17).”² Likewise, Donald Whitney wrote, “When Scripture is stored in your mind, it is available for the Holy Spirit to bring to your attention when you need it most.… A pertinent scriptural truth, brought to your awareness by the Holy Spirit at just the right moment, can be a weapon that makes the difference in a spiritual battle.”³
Objections to Scripture Memory
Though vital for our spirituality and stability in this world, have we not all heard others give countless excuses for why they cannot memorize Scripture? Common excuses include: “It’s too hard,” “I don’t have time,” or “I’m too old.” Along those lines, Donald Whitney wrote:
Many Christians look on the Spiritual Discipline of memorizing God’s Word as something tantamount to modern-day martyrdom. Ask them to memorize Bible verses and they react with about as much eagerness as a request for volunteers to face Nero’s lions. How come?⁴
Why are we often so disinclined to memorize God’s Word? The answer is multifaceted. In part, we forget the vitality and necessity of God’s Word for our very lives (Deuteronomy 32:46-47; Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). We are prone to trust in our own wisdom or fall for the sugar-coated wisdom of this world rather than hold to every word of God which proves true (Proverbs 3:5-7; 30:5). If we are honest, our excuses often reveal an inordinate love of things that we would rather store up in our hearts (Matthew 6:19-21; Psalm 19:8-10). Years ago, at an ACBC conference, Randy Patten made a statement that struck home: “Scripture memory is not a matter of intellect, but of interest.” As I pondered that heart-penetrating statement, I recalled what a Navigator friend had once shared: “If I were to give you $1,000 for every verse you memorized in the next seven days, how many verses do you think you could memorize?” If this were offered to us today, how many of us would suddenly find we have a great ability to memorize (at least for seven days) a great amount of Scripture?
I found this hypothetical challenge convicting on two fronts. First, it is true that my ability to memorize Scripture really is not a matter of intellect, but of interest. Second, I would quickly take the challenge to memorize verses at $1,000 a verse. Yet are there not far greater reasons to memorize Scripture than financial gain?
Reasons for Scripture Memory
Why memorize God’s Word? One author concluded the following:
I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture.... No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified.⁵
Along those lines, here are but a few of many reasons to memorize Scripture:
Conformity to Christ (John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:21-5:2)
Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” We are set apart from the world and into the image of Christ through the understanding and humble observance of God’s Word. Bible memorization leads to a clearer and more consistent daily remembrance of Christ and our need for Him in all things.
Guidance for Life (Psalm 119:105; Deuteronomy 32:46-47)
If we are to walk in the wisdom of God, it will only be as His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths (Psalm 119:105). In fact, as Moses stated in Deuteronomy 32:47, “it is no empty word for you, but your very life.” The wisdom and instruction from God’s Word gives all that we need to honor Christ in all of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Profitable for All of Life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Matthew 7:24-25)
Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” That said, Scripture is only “useful” or “profitable” if it is available for use. To that end, Donald Whitney wrote: “One of the ways we can experience more spiritual victories is to do as Jesus did—memorize Scripture so that it’s available within us for the Holy Spirit to bring to our remembrance when it’s needed.”⁶
Proclamation of the Gospel (1 Peter 3:15; Luke 24:27; Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:10-11)
As the church today, are we not still entrusted with “the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)? Are there not opportunities to share the gospel when our Bible is not in hand? Being able to share the Gospel—word for word—from the Scripture by memory is not only a great testimony to the worth of our Savior, but allows others to hear directly God’s very invitation regarding repentance and belief in His Son.
Comfort and Counsel (Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:14)
All of us have no doubt had someone share a difficult decision that needed to be made or heard about a difficult situation being faced. On some occasions, we do not have a Bible in hand. Yet, if we have hidden God’s Word in our heart, the Spirit of God often takes that and ministers to others through us. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
Recognize and Resist Temptation (Matthew 4:4-10; Ephesians 6:17; Psalm 119:9-11)
As already mentioned, in Matthew 4 Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. What did Jesus do to overcome His temptations? He responded each time from memory the Scriptures, “It is written…” Thus, John Piper wrote: “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.” The verses we memorize are used by the Holy Spirit to help us follow our Savior, rather than fall into sin.
Informs Prayer (Psalms; Matthew 6:9-13)
In the midst of trials and temptations, memorized Scripture gives us God’s words with which to communicate accordingly with Him.
Given the above reasons (and there are many more) to memorize Scripture, what excuses can we begin to make for prioritizing the storing up God’s Word in our hearts?
¹ John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress, adapted by Cheryl Ford (Tyndale House, 2016), 63.
² Andrew Davis, How to Memorize Scripture for Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2024), 12.
³ Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Navpress, 2014), 39.
⁴ Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines, 39-40.
⁵ Charles Swindoll, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994), 61.
⁶ Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines, 40.