Scripture Memorization

Scripture Memorization is critical to Your Spiritual Growth

Finally a chance to "blog." If anything the Lord has been pressing on my heart lately, is that of scripture memorization. I still remember sitting in a discipleship group (now almost 3 years ago), excited and determined to grow in the Lord that year. I thought to myself, whatever it takes I am willing to grow closer to God this year. I had joined a small group in order to be discipled by a respected friend, Rob Rhea. After committing only one Sunday a month - he informed us that we would be memorizing the whole book of Ephesians. If there was any chance to take back any commitments, it would have been then - especially in light of working 40 hours and still taking units at Seminary! But I stayed in the group and found out that memorizing scripture was a key to spiritual growth.

Jesus served as our example as he battled temptation in Matthew 4 - through the power of the word. He knew exactly which scripture to cling to as different temptations were thrown His way. And who is to say that Christ was only tempted three times? I'm sure by then Satan had thrown everything at Him. He was tempted in all areas as the Hebrew writer says. So His temptation would have been greater than anything we could imagine.

Scripture memorization is critical to our spiritual life. The Word is the Spirit's tool, or rather weapon. Ephesians 6 calls it His "sword." Unfortunately, I see so many Christians that barely know any scripture, and if they do know some - they rarely can quote it verbatim. If it is God's word, shouldn't we know exactly what He said? After all, He is the supreme, sovereign ruler of the universe. His words shouldn't be taken lightly. 1 Samuel 2:30 says "Those who honor me I will honor." I do believe that if Christians did begin to read their Bibles more, and memorize scripture - that God would honor that spiritually in their lives.

I know for myself that I was convicted of my lack of respect for God's word - as I began to memorize scripture. In the end though, I began to enjoy memorizing. I would wake up in the middle of the night with texts flowing through my mind. What could me more refreshing than that? Especially when life has its fill of trials!

As of right now, our guys biblestudy is going through a book titled Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, by Donald Whitney. That's Whitney, not Whitley. I wish. He comments that "When scripture is stored in the mind, it is available for the Holy Spirit to take and bring to your attention when you need it most." You see, the Holy Spirit doesn't speak to us today. The revelation of God is completed in the bible. But the Spirit does use the Bible to speak to us and to guide us in His way. So the more we know of God's word, and the fresher it is on our mind, the better off we are spiritually, as God's Holy Spirit can impress on us specific directions according to His will.

I think scripture memorization is one of the best uses of your time!