can’t memorize. But you can. It just requires a desire to memorize. Consider what Bible professor Don Whitley once asked: “What if I offered you a thousand dollars for every verse you could memorize in the next seven days? Do you think your attitude towards Scripture memory and your ability to memorize would improve? Any financial reward would be minimal when compared to the accumulating value of the treasure of God’s Word deposited within your mind.” It’s so true. The Word of God is a treasure, and there’s no safer place to put it than in our hearts. Memorizing individual Bible verses, sections, and even books has done more for my personal and spiritual growth than anything else. And it can do the same for you. It really is a forgotten discipline of our spiritual life. I believe the Bible when it says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Ps. 119:11 KJV). Memorizing Scripture helps us emulate Jesus when He was being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. He responded to those attacks by quoting the Bible (Matt. 4: 4, 7, 10).
Putting Memorization Into Practice
I recommend first memorizing individual verses that have to do with problem areas in your spiritual walk, like slander (James 4:11), worrying (Phil. 4:6), and fear (2 Tim. 1:7). Once memorized, these verses can come to mind immediately and correct your attitude and behavior so it will be in line with the will of God. Christians often struggle with discouragement and depression. Nancy DeMoss has found an effective way to deal with this. She said: “When I encounter someone who is battling discouragement or depression, I often ask two questions: ‘Are you singing to the Lord? and ‘Are you memorizing Scripture?’ These two exercises are not some magical formula to make all our problems go away, but they do have incredible power to change our perspective and attitude towards the issues we are facing.” Since we can easily get discouraged when things don’t go our way, I suggest memorizing I Thessalonians 5:18: “In
Resources for Young Adults
Already Beloved and Becoming Mr. Right are companion books written to encourage a Gospel-focused perspective whether you remain single or marry. The College Choice shows how God must be a part of the college decision-making process. Endorsed by John MacArthur.
www.focuspublishing.com TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG
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