Why I Should Start Memorizing Scripture

In review of James 1:25 it says, “Whoever looks intently into the perfect law … and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.”

Bottom Line:

Continue to pay attention and focus on the perfect law that sets you free. This is not just listening but actually doing what it says. If you do, then God’s blessing will be there.

What this means to me:

I should focus (look intently) into the perfect law. It has the power to set me free. But I must not only listen to it, but actually do what it says. I’m to take action regarding it. If I do, God has promised me his blessings.

What I’m learning is that, one of the best ways to grow in my on spiritual maturity, is to develop a habit of memorizing Scripture. This verse today reminds me that it’s one of four habits that leads to a blessed life: “Whoever looks intently into the perfect law … and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do” James 1:25 (NIV).

This breaks down into:

1. Reading the Bible. “Whoever looks intently …”
2. Reviewing the Bible. “… continues in it …”
3. Remembering the Bible. “… not forgetting what they have heard …”
4. Responding to the Bible. “ … but doing it …”

It’s time to grow up and live the blessed life I’m meant to live. Memorizing verses, or “Hiding” God’s Word in my heart is an important way to start.

So when it comes to memory, I know I can remember what’s important to me. I remember the phone numbers and dates that I care about. If I can quote songs and movie lines. Given this,  I can certainly memorize scripture. Memory is a skill I can learn. It’s a muscle I can strengthen.

I’m learning that memorizing Scripture is important because:

If I do, I’ll always have God’s Word with me. When I’m tempted, I may not have a Bible open or by my side. When I’m witnessing to someone who doesn’t know Jesus, is under stress, needs comfort, or is in a crisis, there may not be a Bible around. I need God’s Word in my mind so that I can remember it and review it right when I need it.

I can also meditate on Scripture wherever I go. I won’t be able to review God’s Word unless I remember it. If I’ve memorized Scripture, I can think about it when you get into bed at night or as I drive to an appointment. I can think about the Bible because I’ve memorized it. That’s called meditation. The only promise of prosperity and success that God gives in the Bible says that meditating on his Word is the key (Joshua 1:8).

The real key for me will be what changes will I need to make so that I’m regularly memorizing verses. I think today, I will look for apps for my smart phone that will help me in practicing my memorization of verses. This is much like carrying around a pack of verse cards, but much easier, since I always have my phone with me. With a tool like this at hand, I should set myself a goal to memorize a certain number of verses a year, such as, one verse a week (52 in a year) or maybe just one verse a month (12 in a year.)