Four Reasons to Memorize Scripture

Memorize Scripture. You will come to know Christ on a deeper level 

Psalm 119:9-11

How can a young man keep his way pure?

    By guarding it according to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you;

    let me not wander from your commandments!

I have stored up your word in my heart,

    that I might not sin against you.

I am passionate about goal setting. I set goals before each season of life. Before I left home for college, I set a goal of memorizing scripture each month. Although my college seasons move quickly each semester, I continue to pursue that goal and be impacted by my decision to do so.

Memorizing scripture changed the way I read my Bible, changed the way I pray, and changed the way I communicate with others. I become filled up with scripture. My heart is infused with the words of God.

As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing.” Memorizing scripture has given me a tangible taste of what it is like to pray without ceasing. When I decided to memorize God’s word, I was able to mediate on it throughout my day. It was on my mind because it was written deep into my heart. It transformed my thoughts, and changed the way I walk with the Lord.

If you long for God’s Word to transform you, from the inside out, here are four good reasons why you might want to make Scripture memorization a part of your daily routine:

1. To become more like Christ

To know God’s word is to know more of God. If you want to be like Christ, you must read the word’s of Christ.

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 competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Memorizing scripture is profitable for training in righteousness; it is profitable for becoming progressively sanctified; it is profitable for becoming more like Christ. In becoming more like Christ, I will be “equipped” for the good works He has for me to do.

2. To combat temptation

It’s what Jesus did. In Matthew 4, Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Each temptation that the devil throws at Jesus is combated with scripture. You have to know scripture and truth to combat the lies of Satan. Jesus knew scripture when he was speaking to Satan, and that was his weapon in combating evil. We have the ability to do the same.

3. To communicate the Gospel

Knowing scripture and knowing the Gospel is a great way to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that you have.

“But in your hearts regard 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)

You have to know what you believe, and why you believe what you believe. Knowing Scripture, having it written on your heart, will answer both the what and the why.

4. To have greater communion with Christ

Your sweetness and longing for the Lord will change when his Word becomes written on your heart. You will come to know Christ in a different way, and, as you are progressively sanctified, in seasons of jubilee and hardship, it is Christ that is unchanging and it is God’s word that will stand forever. On the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), two disciples experienced such an intimacy with Christ that it made their hearts burn within them. The intimacy was sparked by Christ explaining Scripture to them, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets. Scripture points us to Christ.

Memorize Scripture. You will come to know Christ on a deeper level when his words are written on your heart.