Why Memorise Scripture?

What is Scripture Memorisation?

As a result of attending church, reading our Bibles, listening to preaching online, attending prayer meetings or reading Christian literature we will hear certain Bible references over and over again. Eventually, we will commit some of them to memory. When we talk about memorising Scripture we mean to do it with intent. It is to decide to learn specific portions of the Bible. This could be verses, chapters or whole books of the Bible. Some people are on their way to knowing the entire Bible by heart.

Hide God's Word in Your Heart

The Bible tells us to hide God's Word in our hearts.

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. - Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)

The Hebrew word translated as "hidden" can mean to treasure, to value, to hide, to protect or to save. It describes how we treat something we highly esteem. Why does the Psalmist highly esteem the Word of God? He knows it will keep him from sinning against God, transgressing God's commands and missing God's way. The Psalmist's desire to hide the Word of God in his heart reveals his desire to live in a way that pleases God and his need for nothing to hinder his fellowship with God. He treasures the Word of God because he treasures God.

Memorising Scripture Saves What We Value

When we memorise something we save it onto our internal hard drive. Why do we save things? We save things because we consider them useful, important, or valuable. We cannot value something and hate it. Value is close to love. Jesus said it this way, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34, Matthew 6:21).

The Bible is useful, important and valuable as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 indicates. Therefore, we should love it. The decision to memorise Scripture can be an expression of our love for God. Loving God is something we are commanded to do (see Matthew 22:37-38).

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

Memorising Scripture Transforms Us

When we save the Word of God it does not sit there waiting to be used. It is not like putting a jewel in a vault for safekeeping. We bring it out to admire and then put it away where we can neither see nor interact with it. No, the Word of God is alive and active. It works on us, for our good, from the inside out.

The Word of God hidden in our hearts keeps us from sin. When we can easily recall it we can more easily choose to live by it. The Word of God also changes what we think about life, ourselves, God and everything else. Our actions, which are rooted in how we understand things, therefore change. The Word of God reframes our perspective.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12 ESV

The Word of God is not lifeless or passive. It is an active agent in our lives - if we utilise it. It is not active in our lives unheard, unread, or unstudied. As we engage with the Word of God the Word of God engages with us. The Greek word translated as active is energes. It means active, operative, effectual, and powerful (Strong's G1756). The Word of God will positively affect us if we let it. It will get to the root of any issue that separates our heart from God's heart. It addresses issues of soul (soul and spirit), body (joints and marrow) and mind (thought and intents).

For example, if you are unsure whether you are hearing God or hearing you, spend time with the Word of God. You will be better able to distinguish your soul's voice from the Spirit of God.

We cannot memorise without repetition. Whilst, we should aim to recite Scripture accurately, time spent journeying towards accurate recall is time well spent. Whether or not we memorise Scripture quickly or slowly we benefit from the discipline because of the transformative power of the Word of God.

Memorising Scripture Equips Us

The Word of God is the only offensive weapon in our armour. In Ephesians 6, we see several pieces of defensive armour. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (see Ephesians 6:17), and the only offensive weapon listed here. Defensive armour and offensive weapons protect people from attack, but only offensive weapons can attack the enemy. As Christians, we are not supposed to be passive, we are supposed to fight. See 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Matthew 11:12 or Ephesians 6:12. We are admonished to take up the "whole armour" of God. The armour includes the Word of God. When we memorise Scripture we ensure we have the Sword of the Spirit with us at all times.

The Word of God is living and active and we should be too. It is hard to do God's Word if we do not know it. We want soldiers who know and understand the manual, not ones who always need to refer to it before figuring out how to respond to the enemy's tactics. Scripture memorisation makes us more effective at spiritual warfare. Our effectiveness and confidence in prayer is influenced by our knowledge of God's Word. When we have Scripture memorised we can pray it and act on it readily.

Memorising Scripture Brings Freedom

In John 8:31-32, Jesus encourages Jews who recently believed in Him to abide or dwell in His Word because by knowing the truth therein they will find freedom. The truth we do not know will not set us free. We find the truth of who we are, who we belong to and the authority and blessing that belong to us as we get to know the Word of God. We can know what the Word says generally or we can know what God's Word says specifically. The choice is ours. Memorising Scripture alongside studying Scripture for understanding causes us to experience the freedom Jesus secured for us.

Why Memorise Scripture?

We hold many things in the form of memories. We can remember sounds, images, smells, and feelings - primarily without intent. Most of us, perhaps, remember things we would like to forget. The more we are exposed to the Word of God the more of it we will remember.

Memorising Scripture is a way to hide the Word of God in our hearts. We cannot hide the Word of God in our hearts without beginning to commit it to memory. A consequence of prioritising time with God's Word is remembering what it says when we are not reading it.

The more time we spend with people the more accurately we can quote and imitate them. The more time we spend with the Word of God the more accurately we can quote it and imitate God (see Ephesians 5:1). So, why not make memorising Scripture an integral part of our engagement with the Bible? If we truly value the Word of God we can consider going from incidental to intentional Scripture memorisation.

Blessing in Action - Why Memorise Scripture?

Below is a list of the Scriptures referenced in this post. Select one or two to commit to memory. Use them to pray every day for a week. As you memorise them, consider their meaning and how memorising them might transform you.

Psalm 119:11

Luke 12:34 / Matthew 6:21

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Matthew 22:37-38

Hebrews 4:12

Ephesians 6:17 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Matthew 11:12

Ephesians 6:12

John 8:31-32

Ephesians 5:1