As Christians, God’s will for our lives is our sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3a). We are called to put away our sins, keep sober in spirit, fix our hope on the grace to be brought to us when Christ comes again, and to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). It is my heart’s desire to be more like Christ, to be sanctified and to honor the Lord with my life, dying daily to my sin. I often find that I am frustrated and disappointed with myself; nevertheless, God is faithful! And I thank God that while I may have a long way to go, by His work within me I’m not where I used to be!
I have found time and time again in my own life that I am more obedient to my Lord when I regularly slow down to read Scripture and to pray. That being said, I have often heard people extol the virtues of Scripture memorization, but I’ve never seriously made an effort to memorize Scripture. But for a couple of weeks now, I’ve decided I am going to try. I downloaded a free app on my phone called “The Bible Memory App,” and I made a one-time $10.00 purchase for the Pro version so that I could have the NASB 1995 translation (as well as others) available to me. After downloading the app, I started adding various verses of Scripture to the “My Verses” section and began memorizing them.
So far I really enjoy the app – it’s easy to use and helps me to memorize the verses, and I’ve “mastered” 33 verses. “Mastered” is the app’s designation for when you are able to recall a verse without any aids with at least 90% accuracy. I strive to attain 100% accuracy for each verse on a consistent basis.
Here’s the most important thing I’ve found, however: I have already been able to tell a difference in my mindset and in the orientation of my heart through memorizing Bible verses. The verses I’ve memorized have come to mind in casual conversations, allowing me to share them as I speak, and they have also come to mind when I’ve been flustered or tempted to sin. Usually, when I’m reading the Bible and praying, I feel practically “protected” from temptation; incapable of sinning, if such a thing were possible. In those quiet times I have retreated from the world and opened my heart up to receive guidance and grace from the Lord. Memorizing Scripture, for me, is akin to bringing some of that spiritual protection along with me throughout my day.
Psalm 119:9-16 teaches us that when we treasure God’s Word in our hearts, learning and delighting in the statutes of the Lord, meditating on His precepts, and resolving ourselves not to forget His Word, we are more likely to obey God. I pray that, through taking time to memorize Scripture, the Lord will help me to not sin against Him and to keep my way pure.
Do you think memorizing Scripture would help you to be more obedient to the Lord? Would it encourage and strengthen you in your walk with God? I recommend you try it out!
Chase Thompson 