The Case for Scripture Memory

Do you wish to experience success? If so, you are not alone. According to Pew Research, 61% of Americans desire success in a career. Additionally, 56% of Americans say being wealthy is either “very important” or “somewhat important” to them. While there’s nothing inherently evil with being wealthy or having a successful career, these goals are not the ultimate measures of success.

In a culture that is seeking success in all the wrong places, I’m thankful that my parents taught me that knowing and obeying God’s Word defines true success (Joshua 1:8). They taught me to love God’s Word from a young age. Through example, they encouraged me around the age of seven to begin daily reading God’s Word. At mealtimes, we often memorized chapters together.

At age 14, my cousin challenged me to compete in the National Bible Bee. Because of his urging, I memorized thousands of verses and studied numerous books of the Bible.

Scripture memory is a valuable, yet often-forgotten, spiritual discipline. Often, we fail to memorize God’s Word, not because we lack the time, but because we do not fully grasp its importance. In this article, you’ll discover five blessings of memorizing God’s Word. You’ll also learn the story of a 62-year-old lady who discovered that anyone can memorize God’s Word.

1. True Spiritual Success

Psalm 1:1-3 declares,

“Blessed in the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Essentially, true spiritual success is found when we daily meditate on God’s Word. And that’s only possible when we have hidden God’s Word in our hearts.

Martin Luther memorized the Psalms, most of the New Testament, and much of the Old Testament. Before Charles V, Emporor of the Holy Roman Empire, Luther stated, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God.” Martin Luther knew the Word of God, and found true success, not in following the apostate church of his day, but in standing by God’s Word alone in the face of opposition.

Have you ever wondered how it’s possible to meditate on God’s Word while working, sleeping, driving, or eating? Such an exercise is made possible through memorization. When you memorize God’s Word, you are equipped to daily ponder, consider, and meditate on it. The more you have memorized, the more spiritual food you have to savor throughout the day.

2. Vibrant Spiritual Growth

Christ exhorted his disciples in John 15:4-5, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

No matter how hard we try, we can do nothing of eternal value on our own strength. I once heard of a pastor who was asked, “with all your preaching, how do you ever find time to study God’s Word?” The pastor replied, “I don’t. There are simply too many demands in the ministry.” Shortly thereafter, the pastor’s moral life disintegrated.

In my younger siblings, I have observed that their greatest spiritual growth has occurred through memorizing God’s Word. As they began to hide God’s Word in their hearts, they grew in discipline, in love for God and others, and in Christ-like character.

There is no spiritual neutrality in the Christian life. We are either daily growing in Christ or we are daily stagnating in our walk with Him. Scripture memory helps us to continually grow in Christ in order to bring praise, not shame, to His name.

3. Continual Spiritual Strength

God’s Word empowers us to overcome temptation. According to Psalm 119:11, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”

Proverbs 7:1-5 says, “My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee… Bind them upon thy fingers, write them on the tables on thine heart… That they may keep thee from the strange woman…”

In Matthew 4, Christ overcame Satan’s three-pronged temptation by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, Deuteronomy 6:16, and Exodus 20:3.

Like Christ, we can claim victory over temptation through the power of eternal God’s Word. Through His Word, God has provided us with a way of escape (I Corinthians 10:13). As we memorize, we can say with David, “I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love” (Psalm 119:113).

While growing up in Communist China, Brother Yun discovered the value of scripture. After becoming born again at age 16, Brother Yun prayed and fasted for three months that the Lord would send him a Bible. After receiving the Bible, Brother Yun began memorizing one chapter a day. Eventually, he memorized most of the New Testament and much of the Old Testament. He loved God’s Word because it was rare. God’s Word strengthened him to overcome in the midst of intense persecution.

In moments of temptation, we will not always have a Bible with us, but we can always have God’s Word with us in our hearts.

4. Potent Spiritual Ammunition

Not only is God’s Word spiritual food that strengthens our souls (Job 23:12, Matthew 4:4); God’s Word is also a sharp sword and a mighty hammer that equips us to launch spiritual offensives (Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17, Jeremiah 23:29).

In Acts 2, Peter preached his Pentocostal sermon without notes, quoting from Joel 2 and Psalm 16. Like many Hebrew boys of his day who memorized the Torah, Peter likely had large portions of scripture committed to memory. Through the Spirit, God brought to mind the correct memorized verses for Peter to expound upon that day.

Peter might have had his first sermon in mind when he exhorted the “scattered strangers,” “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15).

To Peter and all the other disciples, Christ promised that He would give them words to speak when they were brought before political rulers (Matthew 10:18-20). He promised, “For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”

God will likely never automatically implant verses in your brain, but He can bring to mind already memorized verses. Memorizing God’s Word makes you ready both in and out of season (II Timothy 4:2).

In critical moments of questioning, God has never implanted within me a passage of scripture. However, He has often brought to my mind scriptures that I have already memorized.

Whether you are witnessing, discipling, or discerning activites and ideas (Acts 17:11), the implanted Word can help you follow Christ and point others towards His truth.

5. An Invaluable Spiritual Legacy

In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 God commanded, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

God holds parents responsible to pass down the application of His Word to their descendants. Having God’s Word internalized allows parents to teach it to their children while working, eating, or playing. Parents can then explain to their children what the Bible teaches on every subject, from finances, to family, to church, to entertainment, to work, and so on.

As shared earlier, my parents memorized numerous passages with myself and siblings. I know those passages will remain in our hearts forever. Every verse helps us remember why we believe what we believe and why we live the lives we live.

Psalm 128:1 says, “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways.” The next five verses in the chapter describe the immense blessings of a godly family. Such a godly family can only be built upon the Lord and His Word (Psalm 127:1).

While there are many things you can gift to your children, the memorized Word of God is one of the greatest gifts (Proverbs 23:3-4). What spiritual legacy are you leaving to your children?

Memorizing at Age 72

In contrast to many of the transient things we spend our time on, God’s Word is eternal (Isaiah 40:8). The memorized Word provides spiritual success, growth, strength, ammunition, and legacy.

I once talked with a sweet 72-year old lady who humbly shared her journey with scripture memory. While leading a young lady’s Bible study, the Lord convicted her of her need to memorize scripture. At first, she resisted with the common excuse, “But memorizing is only for younger people with sharper brains.” However, she eventually surrendered to the Lord’s will and began memorized.

When she began obediently memorizing at age 62, it was arduous work. After three years of toil, she finally memorized Romans 8. As she persisted, memorization became easier. She then memorized Romans 6, Ephesians 5-6, Revelation 1-3, I John, and portions in Joshua, Colossians, I and II Samuel, and I and II Peter. She said, “Before I memorized, my brain was a trash heap.” She testified how God’s Word renewed her mind (Romans 12:2), defeated the lies she was believing, and aligned her life with the truth.

She believes that every one of us, from old to young, needs the Word of God in our hearts. Her story is a testimony that anyone can memorize God’s Word if they desire to.

A Universal Call to Scripture Memory

Today, we do not need God to send us a Bible, like He sent to Brother Yun. We need to take the necessary time and effort to memorize God’s Word.

You may never have memorized much scripture before. Could you spare ten minutes a day? Maybe you could memorize during your lunch break, your morning quiet time, your daily walk or run, or right before bed. Likely you have a sibling, parent, spouse, or friend who would be willing to keep you accountable.

At the end of your life, you will have some regrets. Like David, Martin Luther, Paul, and Brother Yun, you will never regret one minute you spent in the Word of God. Through the power of God’s Word, your life, your family, and the world could be changed forever.

God is calling you to step out in faith and obedience? Will your answer be yes?

Question: What daily block of time could you set aside for scripture memory? How could you modify your daily habits and routines in order to make time for scripture memory?

Recommended Resources:

A Call To Scripture Memory

The National Bible Bee

Biblical Examples For Further Study:

Joshua: Joshua 1

David: Psalm 1, Psalm 19, Psalm 119

Christ: The Gospels

Peter: Acts 2

Stephen: Acts 7

Paul: Acts 13

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Disclosure of Material Connection: The links in the above post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend books I personally have read and believe will add value to my readers. I do not personally agree with everything stated in the recommended books, but I have benefited from each book in some way.