Argument: “I just want to know what it says…I don’t need to memorize it.”
Think of any single piece of information you know that is not in your memory.
Go ahead, we’ll wait right here.
Everything you just thought of was old information. You already knew it, which means you brought it into focus because of memory.
Argument: “But I know a lot of things I can’t remember!”
Mmmm. No. You knew a lot of things. When you eventually remember them — or are reminded about them — then you will know them, because, once again, they will be in your memory.
Remembering or being reminded of anything means that what was once in your mind is being brought back to your mind. Memory is involved.
The truth remains. If it isn’t in your memory you don’t know it. Memorizing is simply the intentional act of keeping something in your memory for a longer period of time.
That’s why reading isn’t enough. Want proof? Then keep your eyes fixed on this paragraph and keep reading. Now, unless you intentionally spent time reading or re-reading the previous paragraph, or unless you took one quick look at it while you were reading this paragraph, you probably don’t know what the first three words of the previous paragraph were. (Go ahead and look now.)
That’s why memorizing is so much better than simply reading. But that’s not all.
Argument: “Living out God’s Word is way more important than memorizing it.”
We agree, 100%. But how do you live out what you don’t know?
God has designed each of us to experience His righteousness, life, and power by keeping His Word in a place specially designed to receive it — our heart and mind.
- Psalm 119:11 (NIV) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
- James 1:21 (NLT) So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
- 2 Peter 3:2 (NIV) I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
- 1 John 2:14b (NLT) …and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Argument: I don’t need to know it word-for-word. I know the gist of it.
Knowing the gist is okay. Just okay.
Like the current popular commercial says, “Just okay is not okay.” It’s not okay to remember just part of your phone number. It’s not okay to recall that your wife’s birthday is sometime after Labor Day. It’s not okay to know the restaurant you wanted to go back to is somewhere near a big tree.
When you need encouragement or wisdom or strength or comfort in your personal life, or you need to recall words of life in order to speak to someone far from God, having one or two verses in your memory, such as John 3:16 or Romans 12:1-2 is…just okay. And it is not okay.
When you are in a wilderness, and Satan is attacking and throwing his fiery darts of temptation, doubt, and discouragement, do you just kind-of want to know the words or do you want the full protection and assurance of the sword of the Spirit?
Argument: But the Bible says I’m to rely on the Holy Spirit to tell me what to say. Why would I need to memorize Scripture?
Here’s what Jesus told his followers about the Holy Spirit…
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
There’s that word again — remind. The Holy Spirit will bring back the focus of our thoughts to the Word that has already been implanted…if it has.
Argument: I go to church all the time. I read my Bible (most) every day. I attend a Bible study. I hear the Word all the time. I get more than enough Scripture in my mind.
Those are all good. In fact, five minutes a day memorizing Scripture is not meant to replace any of that.
Think of it as a concentrated dose of what’s good for you. Most of what we hear goes into short-term memory, then is lost forever. Five minutes of memorization is an intentional act of putting Scripture into the long-term part of your memory.