Memorisation may seem like something from childhood. Memorising scripture may make us think of candy-rewarded Sunday school memory verse challenges (if we were lucky… otherwise maybe the memory of disapproving looks from our teachers!) Why on earth would we (or anyone) want to do something as boring as memorising scripture?

I can think of three reasons and can personally confirm its significant impact on my own life. I am continually pleased with how scripture I’ve memorised becomes useful in my day, and continually surprised with how it ‘pops up’ when I need it!

Reason 1: Scripture shows us where to go; memorizing Scripture keeps us on the right path & prevent us from getting lost

There’s plenty in Scripture to give us direction and guidance. In the cool of our home we can read Scripture and commit to using its truth to guide us but out in our daily lives we can often forget what we read.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.“

Psalms 119:105

In Psalm 119:105 we read, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Despite knowing we have something to help us on our life’s path, in the heat of the moment or during temptation, we can be led by our circumstances or friends or environment to make choices contrary to God’s will for us.

Memorising Scripture can help us recall God’s will. The Psalmist also tell us “The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip” (Psalm 37:31). When we know and can call God’s word easily, we are less inclined to make decisions that lead to sin or adversity or to ‘paths’ won’t work out as we expect.

Reason 2: Scripture gives us hope & the process of memorizing Scripture changes us

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”

2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV

Paul, in a letter to his friend Timothy, tells him “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we speak words of scripture and agree with them, we are allowing ourselves to be taught and trained by God.

“The word of God is alive and active”

Hebrews 4:12

The act of repeating scriptural teaching changes us and we become more attuned to God’s will. The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us that “the word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12). Unlike regular writing and other books, the Bible has power as it is God’s speaking to us. As we read, we see ourselves and God more accurately. Memorising Scripture allows us to use knowledge with us wherever we go at any time, even when we’re not reading.

Reason 3: Scripture helps us identify lies & memorizing Scripture enables us to fight against deceit

If we don’t know something is untrue we might believe it, right? That might seem obvious, but it seems to me I can easily believe something that isn’t true. Unkind criticisms from people I know, wrong assumptions I make for myself may not be correct but unless I am on alert to untruths, I will likely believe them.

“Don’t you know that when you allow even a little lie into your heart, it can permeate your entire belief system?”

Galatians 5:9, The Passion Translation

Galatians 5:9 in The Passion Translation reads, “Don’t you know that when you allow even a little lie into your heart, it can permeate your entire belief system?” Being on the alert for untruths can make the difference between us having a correct belief system and an incorrect one. Memorizing Scripture helps us notice when we are being told or are telling something false.

Paul instructed the Ephesians to “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Quoting Scripture helps us refute lies or distortions. But how can we quote it if we haven’t learnt it? Rarely do we take the time to look up Scriptures when we’re in the middle of a fight of words.

Jesus used this technique on at least two separate occasions to counter someone who was misusing scripture to try to trick him or trap him. Once was when the devil tempted Jesus in the desert before his formal ministry began (Matthew 4), and once was when the Sadducees tried to trick Jesus with nuances of the law (Matthew 22). At both times, Jesus immediately recognised the lies and misquotes because he knew the scriptures well. Jesus was also able to use Scripture correctly from memory to tell the truth.

Memorising Scripture means we can quickly identify a deceitful statement and defeat it with the truth.

When we memorize Scripture, we have a perfect weapon to defeat deception.