Jesus Christ openly declared that our spiritual existence depends upon every word of God. “…Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Where are the words of God written? In the Bible. The Apostle Peter’s last word to us is “to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). But how are to grow? Growth in the Lord is called “sanctification,” the life-long process by which we become more and more like Jesus, fulfilling God’s purpose for every redeemed person; “for whom He did foreknow, He did predestinate that he be conformed to the image of Christ…”(Romans 8:29). Jesus Himself said “sanctification” (becoming like Him) comes by the Word of God. His last prayer for every Christian was “Sanctify them in thy truth; thy Word is truth” (John 17:17.
However, for the Word to “sanctify” or make me like Jesus it must enter into me.
How does the Word of God enter us? It enters through our minds to change our hearts and ultimately to change our character and lifestyle into His likeness. Thus we should meditate on every verse that comes from the mouth of God. As we meditate deeply our understanding grows. But to meditate we need to memorize. It is almost impossible for one not to meditate on Scripture which he has memorized; and it is almost impossible to meditate on Scripture he has not memorized. Thus, there is no more useful discipline than the continual process of memorizing and meditating on the Scriptures.
- By memorization and meditation, a lifetime of reflection is now available through ongoing review – while driving on long trips, while walking on the beach, conversing with friends, hearing the great hymns, sharing in small groups, reflecting during the night time, early rising, etc.
- By memorization and meditation, we are armed to hate sin and to determine to fight it vigorously.
- By memorization and meditation, we are able to withstand in the moment of temptation through “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
- By memorization and meditation, the young can keep their purity. How can a young man keep his life pure? By living according to your Word. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against God” (Psalm 119:11). Spurgeon wrote on the flyleaf of his Bible: “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.”
- In addition, the word sanctifies us by transforming our entire worldview from secular to heavenly: “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) The “renewing of your minds” happens by the flow of Scripture through them like a pure river. As this river flows through your mind constantly, you will see things more and more the way God does, if you are a child of God… for “we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16) This gives us more and more wisdom to deal with this world.[1]
- By memorization and meditation on Scripture, the Scripture becomes a treasure trove for the growth of you and the church. The Scripture memorizer will be used mightily by God to teach and encourage other Christians, with an apt word from the perfect Word of God: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16) How better can you obey Colossians 3:16 than by Scripture memorization? The “word of Christ” will indeed “dwell in you richly” as you memorize it, and then work it over in your mind through meditation. Then you will most certainly be useful to God to “teach and admonish” another brother or sister. Scripture builds the Church to its final doctrinal and practical maturity (Ephesians 4:13-16), and God uses those who memorize it to do this building in a powerful and eternally fruitful way.[2]
- Finally, the memorization of Scripture enables us to bless lost people with a powerful and vivid presentation of the gospel of salvation. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Those who memorize Scripture obey Peter’s command in this regard: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) The “preparation” Peter had in mind is best done by memorizing Scripture. Remember that it is Scripture which is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15) The evangelist who stores up Scripture on the life of Christ, for example, can vividly retell the miracle stories to a generation who is Biblically illiterate, who knows very little about the life of Christ. That person can also give the theology of salvation from Paul’s epistles, if they have memorized from those books. In short, Scripture memorization makes one a much more powerful and effective evangelist, preacher, teacher, witness.
There are other benefits of memorization and meditation:
- Comfort during trials and bereavement.
- Power and wisdom for counseling.
- The development of heavenly-mindedness.
- The manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit.
- Conviction over indwelling sin.
- Increases you faith. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
- It saves the preacher much time in sermon preparation, weddings, funerals, writing, et cetera.
- It enhances your ability to effectively communicate God’s word to your audiences.
- It raises the confidence of your hearers in your message.
[1] Dr. Andrew Davis, First Baptist Church, Durham, N. C. The Value of Scripture Memorization.
[2] Ibid.