Occasionally, my mother’s voice invades my day—from inside my head. I can still hear her say, “Try not to borrow trouble from tomorrow,” and even “Remember to take a jacket.” Sometimes her tone and words come skidding out of my mouth when I’m disciplining my kids! At other times—thankfully—Bible verses occur to me as she would say them. She could (and still can) recite Scripture with as much certainty as I can say my name and address.
My mother learned the meaty, cornerstone verses that define her faith in Christ. Often, she and my father quoted these Scriptures to people who were peddling false teaching. Her example reminds me of this verse: “If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15). There’s no better way to clarify what we believe than to have God’s words imprinted in our minds and ready to leave our lips.
Memorizing Bible verses can help us present God’s truth to others, and it can work within us as well. Since “all Scripture is . . . useful to teach us what is true” (2 Timothy 3:16), committing it to memory helps us fight off incorrect thinking that can lead to sin: I have to impress those people. Happiness is more important than holiness. It’s wrong only if someone gets hurt. These lies can’t survive where God’s truth is present. As the psalm writer said, hiding God’s Word in our hearts prevents us from sinning against Him (Psalm 119:11).
These days, the Bible is more accessible than ever—both in print and online. Because it is often at our fingertips, we may overlook our need to internalize it. Why not consider finding a verse or phrase to memorize. Invite God’s voice to speak to you and through you by the power of His Word.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 26:1-32
More:
Read Matthew 4:1-11 to see how Jesus quoted Scripture to battle temptation. Read Psalm 119:7-11 to see how “the rules” we find in God’s Word can guide our behavior.
Next:
If you went to a place where God’s Word was not allowed in written format, how much of it would you be able to bring with you in your heart? Why is the memorization of God’s Word something that can be life-changing?
roxanne robbins on November 15, 2012 at 1:12 am
Jennifer, Reading this post caused me to reflect on ways my personal Bible study has changed since Scripture became accessible on the Internet. While I’ve grown as a result of various Bible study tools online, I’ve also regressed in terms of reading. I spend less time reading passages now and more time looking up single verses. Time for me to return to sitting with just my Bible and no computer in lap!
jennifer benson schuldt on November 15, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Roxanne,
I too spend quite a bit of time using online versions of the Bible and online Bible resources. You brought up a good point about considering context in our Bible study. While many verses stand alone easily, some require careful attention to the context of surrounding scripture and need to be compared with other parts of the Bible (Acts 17:11).
I wonder if you also find that using online Bible resources reduces the amount of time you spend really chewing on a passage. For myself, I rarely meditate on something I view online. I’m much more apt to ruminate on Scripture when I read it in a book. It might just be me, but the intake and digestion of Scripture seems different based on how I view it.
tom felten on November 15, 2012 at 10:15 am
Good challenge, Jen! I can’t tell you how often Scripture that I’ve memorized in the past surfaces in my mind at just the right time to help me in the present.
jennifer benson schuldt on November 15, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Tom,
Isn’t it cool that God gave us His Word in written form, and then built in our human minds the capacity to memorize and recall it at will?
Of course, as you said, there are also times when He just brings it to mind at the precise moment in which we need it. His Word truly is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)! 🙂
GChoo on November 15, 2012 at 11:08 am
Jennifer, thank you for reminding us the need to keep God’s Word in our hearts.
Whenever i need a particular scripture, i realised that i have to go searching for it. And by the time i found it, we have moved onto another point.
Another thing to remember, God’s Word is very powerful and can help us to ward off evil spirit (ghost as some people call it) who tries to invade us. I do not mean for us to go and exorcise someone. If it had not been God’s Word, i do not know if i am around now to share it. That was what happened to me many years ago when an evil spirit in a hotel room was trying to suffocate me just as i switched off the lights to go to sleep. I was immediately attacked, i struggled but was unable to move and unable to open my eyes. In my mind was an ugly image creeping up from my legs up to my face. At the spur of the moment, i remembered the Lord’s prayer and prayed out in my mind as i could not even shout out. Instantly the evil spirit left my body as i continued praying. It was a really terrifying experience, but it had made me realised that the God i am believing is TRULY REAL AND POWERFUL. Hallelujah,! Praise our Sovereign God.
jennifer benson schuldt on November 15, 2012 at 2:53 pm
GChoo,
As you said, God’s Word is powerful. When Jesus faced off with Satan in the wilderness, He quoted scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). It’s no mistake that He set this example for us.
The Bible reminds us that we do not fight “against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil…in the unseen world” (Ephesians 6:12). For this we need the whole armor of God, which includes “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). May God continue to strengthen you and meet all of your needs through the power of His Holy Spirit and His Word! Thank you for sharing your story with us.