Why Memorize Scripture?

This article was originally published for the members of the Kirk Presbyterian in Savannah, Georgia.

In 2025, we are going to memorize Scripture together! This year we read the Bible together following the Robert Murray M’Cheyne plan. The Christian Education Committee felt a natural next step would be to commit ourselves to hiding God’s word in our hearts (Ps. 119:11). If you’ve never attempted Scripture memory before, or think in our current age with smartphones at the ready Scripture memory is superfluous, I hope the reasons below will motivate you to see the value of having God’s word in your heart and mind.

Sustaining Words - In John 6, Jesus tells his followers not to work for food that perishes but “for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you” (John 6:27). Jesus continues to reference eternal food until the people desire it so much they cry out, “Lord, always give us this bread” (John 6:33). The Lord responds “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35). Jesus is the bread of life that fills up our hearts, souls, and minds with the glory of God. Before Jesus, Moses instructed the people that they do not live by bread alone but, “by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3).

Fighting Words - Every day is a battle against sin. While on this side of heaven, we will wrestle with the remaining corruption of our flesh. When temptation springs up in your life, how do you fight it? When your heart condemns you, how will you silence it? When depression and exhaustion seem ready to overwhelm you, how will you fight for rest? Having the Word memorized will give you fighting words against sin. Is there a sin you are neglecting or growing apathetic towards? Remember Paul’s words in Romans 8:13, “For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Are you wracked with guilt over a sin? Punch back with Hebrews 10:22 “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Is your mind overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, or fear of the future? Pray Isaiah 26:3 (ESV), “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

At the end of Ephesians, Paul describes the armor of God. All of it is defensive except for one piece of equipment, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). We see Jesus use the sword against Satan during his temptation in the wilderness. Every attack by Satan is parried by Jesus quoting Scripture. If it is good enough for the Word of God incarnate, it is good enough for you.

Evangelistic Words - You will find your evangelism is sharper if combined with the Word of God. It is beneficial to have a Bible with you and walk someone through a passage, but we do not always have that opportunity. What if you get into a conversation with a non-believer and they say, “I like Jesus but I think there are lots of different paths to God. Jesus never claimed to be the only way to God.” What if you were ready and had John 14:6 memorized for just such a moment? You reply to this person, “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.’” It could make a big difference. Isn’t Scripture memory worth it if God might save someone through your evangelistic efforts?

Praying Words - Matthew Henry is primarily known for his famous one-volume commentary on the Bible. He also wrote an excellent book called, “A Way to Pray.” The work aims to build up believers' prayer vocabulary with the vocabulary of Scripture. We have all been in a time of prayer when we end up listing out all of our concerns and desires. We do not think of praising God as part of our prayer as Paul does in Ephesians 1:3. We do not think of pondering his attributes as the Psalmist in Psalm 103. If we spend time meditating and memorizing Scripture, we will find our vocabulary for prayer expands a hundredfold.

Comforting Words - Memorizing the Word of God is like having spiritual medicine always available. When suffering and sorrow arise, we sometimes lack words as we process the pain we are feeling. What if you had Psalm 34:18 in your mind and on your trembling lips, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Life here on Earth can be filled with suffering and the things of this world provide little comfort during our hardest seasons. Being able to recall images of the world to come will provide comfort to you, “the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:17).

These are just a few thoughts and motivations for you to memorize Scripture. We are going to do it as a church family in 2025. We will memorize a verse or two a week following the Fighter Verses program put out by Truth:78. You can download their app which comes with a wealth of resources to assist you in memorizing Scripture. If you do not want another app, you can download all 52 verses for 2025 and write out your own memory cards. They’ve even got a handy bookmark size (make sure to scroll to the bottom for 2025)!