“Thy word have I hid in my heart.” Psalm 119:11
The steps creak and the small desk light flickers on as I tap it on. The still quiet of the morning silence is broken only by the whir of coffee beans and the hissing of the kettle warming up. This time is set aside to sit down with God before the day starts. It didn’t always begin that early. It started by locking the bathroom door to snag five minutes of sanity for a momma with two littles clamoring for constant attention. Faithfully, day after day, God honored the minutes spent locked in that small space, running down the road at sunrise, and praying by the shore of the lake. All of the little moments are layered in the sedimentary foundations of a heart sold out to Christ. One small, obedient step at a time, God’s Word accumulated, hidden for moments of triumph, trial, and testimony. He doesn’t ask us to be perfect, only that we talk to Him. Like a mom hopes for her teenager to cuddle up and talk like the olden days of toddler life, God’s heart is moved when we make an effort to seek Him with all of ours.
What Does ‘Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart’ Mean?
“So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priest, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.” Deuteronomy 31:9
‘Thy word have I hid in my heart.’ God’s Word is meant to be placed at the center of our lives. He is our Rock, the firm and unchanging foundation we build our lives upon. The NIV Study Bible explains, “Ancient treaties specified that a copy of the treaty was to be placed before the gods at the religious centers of the nations involved. For Israel, that meant to place it in the ark of the covenant.” For New Testament Christ-followers, we have the Living God living in us through the Holy Spirit from Jesus Christ! This means through the daily disciplines of reading the Bible, prayer, and worship, we have the Holy Spirit to help us understand, remember, and apply God’s wisdom to our daily lives.
The Hebrew root of word designates God’s revelation. God’s Word reveals wisdom, understanding, and perspective that we would not have without His divine hand reaching into our hearts through the Bible. It becomes our foundation, and God builds upon our lives in layers of truth, conviction, instruction, encouragement, and love that flow from the supernatural power of the Scripture when we seek Him there. This habit, over a lifetime, allows us to develop the relationship with God we were meant to have and that He desires with us. His truth becomes a part of who we are and how and why we live our daily lives. “This way entails both treasuring (zealously guarding) God’s Word …in one’s heart as well as meditating on it (internalizing, memorizing it, pondering it over time, and considering how it applies to one’s situation),” the Moody Bible Commentary explains, “This should form a lifelong habit of hiding God’s word in his heart so as not to sin against the Lord.”
Created in His image, we were purposed to bring glory to God through our lives here on earth. The biggest expression of love of all time was God’s sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross. And Jesus, though He prayed and wept that there would be any other way, went willingly. Our sins are forgiven, and this line of communication and personal relationship between God and humanity is available through the acceptance of Jesus Christ. Our belief in Him ushers the Holy Spirit into our very souls, allowing us to hide and build upon God’s wisdom …within our very hearts and minds.
10 Practical Ways to Hide God’s Word in Our Hearts
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5
One of the junior high students in our youth ministry recently commented, “I want to read my Bible like you say daily, but I don’t understand it.” It’s a valid point, to which many of us relate. This particular student has been taught how to read the Bible, given a Student Study Bible and a Teen devotional book, but missing is the effort on her part to use those tools. There are podcasts we can listen to hands-free! There are many ways to get into the Word of God each day, to keep His truth top of mind and center of the heart. But, it doesn’t happen without the disciplined effort to open the app, the book, or journal and get quiet with God. Here are ten simple ways to hide God’s word in our hearts, daily.
1. Read the Bible. Set aside time. Start with five minutes, and prayerfully ask God to meet us there.
2. Journal. If it’s hard to focus, we can write a prayer to God each day before diving into Scripture.
3. Pray Scripture. If there is a particular issue we face, we can google Scriptures that apply to those issues. (Always read study Bible notes to make sure to understand the verse in context.) Then, we can write out those verses in prayer to God. Replace general terms with personal pronouns, because His Word is meant for each of us, individually.
4. Study Bible. Reading a study Bible can help define words and describe people, places, and events in the Bible to help us understand them better.
5. Jesus Cards. For a small investment, a box of cards that have Scriptures written on them can be used as bookmarks, placed in places we see often and serve as reminders of God’s Word laced into the everyday corners of our lives.
6. Devotional Books. Not to be used as a replacement to the Bible, but alongside can provide great perspective for the walk or stage of life we are in.
7. Podcasts. From short devotionals to entire sermons, podcasts are a great way to hide God’s Word in our hearts as we drive, work, and walk through our days.
8. Email subscriptions. Subscribe online to subscriptions that will send articles, prayers, devotionals, podcasts, and more right to our phones and computers. It helps us to remember God’s Word throughout the day, and often meets us where were are with a particular question, struggle, or piece of encouragement.
9. Worship Music. Music is a wonderful way to knit God’s Word on our hearts. So many songs are truths straight from Scripture put to a melody that easily becomes stuck in our minds and hidden in our hearts. They can become anthems for seasons we walk through with Jesus.
10. Books. Christian authors and publishers abound with books written about the content of the Bible, and how to apply it to our everyday lives.
What Are the Benefits of Hiding God’s Word in Your Heart?
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” Psalm 119:9
Purity in this context means, “free from all moral taint” (NIV). The Voice paraphrase reads: “How can a young person remain pure? Only by living according to Your word.” The truth of Scripture prepares us, whether we are in need of help or healing, or searching for the opportunity to share our faith, hiding God’s Word in our heart. The Bible tells us to guard our hearts because everything we do and say flows from it. The benefit of hiding God’s Word in our hearts is that we would have the self-control and grace-filled perspective to live and speak in a way that is Christ-centered and God-honoring. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The Bible gives us the ability to discern what is right, the next step to take, and provides the comfort, encouragement, discipline, and conviction we need for our daily lives. When we are faithful to read it daily, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to recall God’s truth when we need it! In hard moments, anxious tests, and opportunities to share the gospel truth with others. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Take all things to the Lord in prayer, and look for answers in His Word. “When we come to the Bible to hear from God, we don’t close our eyes, or shut our ears, or disengage our minds,” John Piper explains in his book Reading the Bible Supernaturally. “Rather, it is through these very natural means that God then miraculously, supernaturally opens our spiritual eyes (Ephesians 1:18), ears (Mark 4:9), and minds (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).” Hiding God’s word in our hearts allows us to see, hear, and understand through the heavenly perspective of God, whose ways are not our ways and thoughts are not our thoughts. We connect with the Author of our souls, the One who has knit unique purpose into our lives and cares for us more than any soul on earth ever could.
Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart: A Prayer to Hide God’s Word in Our Hearts
Father,
You know us completely, God. Only when we make an effort to meet with you daily in prayer, worship, and Scripture can we be fully prepared for the day ahead, and a life that brings glory and honor to You. Father, we pray today for the power of the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Bible, as it applies to our lives each day. You promise that if we seek you with all of our hearts we will find you. You assure us the plans You have for us are good. Father, You are all-knowing and everywhere. You are goodness and love, justice and peace. You are our provider, reminder, teacher, and friend.
Abba, Father; Jesus, Messiah; Spirit, Counselor; One True and Triune God, glory to You in the highest. Show us more of You each day. Teach us, guide us, mold us and help us to hear You correctly and follow Your instruction and guidance faithfully. God, please loft Your voice over all the others that compete for our attention in life. Focus our hearts on You. Ground us in You, our firm foundation. It takes effort and discipline to read the Bible each day, God. We pray for the obedience to do it. May our lives be living witnesses of our Christ-centered steps.
In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.
Faith in Jesus is more than a religion. It goes far beyond following rules and it isn’t at all about feeling bad for what we’ve done wrong past confessing our sin and embracing His forgiveness. Faith in Jesus, living a Christ-centered life, is walking with Him. Reading the Bible, hiding God’s Word in our hearts … is hiding Jesus in our hearts. He is the Living Word, there at the beginning with God, sitting as His right hand now, and has promised to come back again. The more time we spend in Scripture, the better we get to know Jesus, our Savior, Messiah, Son of God … and our Friend.
Sources
NIV Study Bible, Copyright © 1985, 1995, 2002, 2008, 2011 by Zondervan.
Moody Bible Commentary. Copyright 2014. Moody Publishers.
Further Reading
Why Should We Hide God’s Word in Our Hearts?
3 Practical Ways to Transfer God’s Word from Your Bible to Your Heart
Related: Listen to our podcast, How to Study the Bible! Available at LifeAudio.com. Listen to the first episode here:
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/andreswd
Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ. Join her in the journey at Joy Overflowing. She is also the author of “Friends with Everyone, Friendship within the Love of Christ,” “Surface, Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity,” and “Glory Up, The Everyday Pursuit of Praise,” and “Home, Finding Our Identity in Christ.” She earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University, but stepped out of the business world to stay at home and raise her two daughters …which led her to pursue her passion to write. Always active in her community and local church, Meg also leads Bible study, and serves as a leader for teen girls.
Psalm 119:11
ESV / 27 helpful votes
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Romans 10:13
ESV / 13 helpful votes
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Isaiah 26:3
ESV / 13 helpful votes
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Psalm 1:1-6
ESV / 11 helpful votes
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; …
Ephesians 1:7
ESV / 8 helpful votes
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Romans 10:9
ESV / 8 helpful votes
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
1 Kings 8:60-61
ESV / 8 helpful votes
That all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”
1 John 1:9
ESV / 7 helpful votes
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Titus 2:1-15
ESV / 7 helpful votes
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. …
Romans 8:1-39
ESV / 6 helpful votes
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. …
Philippians 4:13
ESV / 5 helpful votes
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
2 Corinthians 3:18
ESV / 5 helpful votes
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Romans 12:2
ESV / 5 helpful votes
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
John 7:38
ESV / 5 helpful votes
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Proverbs 30:5
ESV / 5 helpful votes
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
James 2:19
ESV / 4 helpful votes
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
James 1:6-8
ESV / 4 helpful votes
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Colossians 3:16
ESV / 4 helpful votes
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
2 Corinthians 5:21
ESV / 4 helpful votes
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 8:28
ESV / 4 helpful votes
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 5:9
ESV / 4 helpful votes
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
John 14:6
ESV / 4 helpful votes
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Matthew 5:1-48
ESV / 4 helpful votes
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. …
Proverbs 31:1-31
ESV / 4 helpful votes
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. …
Proverbs 14:1-35
ESV / 4 helpful votes
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. …
Psalm 119:9-11
ESV / 4 helpful votes
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 19:1-14
ESV / 4 helpful votes
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. …
1 Peter 5:7-9
ESV / 3 helpful votes
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Romans 6:23
ESV / 3 helpful votes
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 15:1-27
ESV / 3 helpful votes
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. …
John 8:32
ESV / 3 helpful votes
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 3:16
ESV / 3 helpful votes
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Mark 16:15
ESV / 3 helpful votes
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Matthew 6:30
ESV / 3 helpful votes
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Psalm 27:1-3
ESV / 3 helpful votes
Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
Deuteronomy 30:19
ESV / 3 helpful votes
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
2 Peter 1:21
ESV / 2 helpful votes
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17
ESV / 2 helpful votes
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Romans 10:10
ESV / 2 helpful votes
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
John 6:47
ESV / 2 helpful votes
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
John 6:37
ESV / 2 helpful votes
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
Mark 1:1-45
ESV / 2 helpful votes
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. …
Matthew 28:18
ESV / 2 helpful votes
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matthew 11:28
ESV / 2 helpful votes
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:1-30
ESV / 2 helpful votes
When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. …
Matthew 6:33
ESV / 2 helpful votes
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Psalm 12:6
ESV / 2 helpful votes
The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
2 Chronicles 19:9
ESV / 2 helpful votes
And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart:
Matthew
26:75 ‘And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him,
Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and
wept bitterly.’
MATTHEW 26:75
There are
several Greek words used for ‘word.’ The Greek word used here is RHEMA
and it literally means, ‘a spoken word; an utterance, a saying, but
specifically a spoken word appropriate for the situation.’ It’s not the
Bible lying on your coffee table that makes the enemy flee, but the Word
of God hidden in your heart, activated by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and spoken in the appropriate situation. It’s similar to what Jesus
says in John 6:63, that ‘the words that I speak unto you, they are
spirit and they are life.’
The words that we speak from the
written Word of God are empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Word by itself
doesn’t make us free. It is the Word we know and speak that will
deliver us (Jn. 8:32).
Why is the Word so effective? Because it is
the WORD of God. It has authority, because it is indeed the WORD of
God. God’s Word supersedes all authority of the church, of reason, of
intellect, and even of Satan. That’s why it is so effective.
In
Luke, chapter four, when Jesus was tempted of the devil for forty days,
it was the Word of God that Jesus used to defeat the enemy at His
temptation.
Jesus constantly met His temptation by quoting from
God’s Word as He repeatedly stated the phrase, ‘It is written.’
Likewise, the Christian soldier must avail himself of God’s Word by
placing it in his heart so that the Holy Spirit may bring it forth at
the appropriate time to accomplish a complete and total victory.
Hiding the Word in our hearts is one of the most important things we can do as Christians. Memorizing God’s Word helps us to grow deeper in the Word, helps us to be better at witnessing to others, helps us to defend the faith, and helps us to grow closer to God.
Hiding the Word in our hearts is part of getting closer to God.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Deuteronomy 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
It is important that we memorize scripture in order to defend the faith.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Memorizing Scripture can help us fight temptation.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Jesus fought Satan with “It is written”.
There are many Scripture memory systems out there. I’ve used many techniques over the years. There are verses that I’ve written over and over, but never did memorize. Then there are verses that I never once tried to memorize, but I couldn’t forget them if I tried. For me it is much more difficult to memorize the reference than the verse itself. This is a simple list of a few memory systems and techniques. This list is nowhere near exhaustive. I’ve just covered a few basics that I think are the most helpful.
Flash Cards
These are easy to make and can be a powerful tool for memorizing Scripture. I find it’s best to buy a pack of index cards. Write the verse on one side and the reference on the other. It’s best to read only the reference and try to quote the verse. Look at the verse if you need to, but trying to quote the verse yourself will help build your memory. You can also read the verse and try to quote the reference. Flash cards can also be made with software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or OpenOffice Impress.
Writing
Typing a verse over and over might help to drive it in. I find a different type of writing more helpful- I write about the verse. By teaching about a verse, I remember the verse without trying. The trick is to talk about it. Explain the verse like you are a teacher. Break the verse down into individual elements and teach each component. Then, teach the verse in its proper context. This is the most helpful for me. I’ve memorized more verses by teaching and writing than all the other techniques combined.
Memory List
Keeping a memory list in your Bible is a handy way to memorize Scripture. If you have your Bible with you, you have your memory list with you. You can also write, or type, your memory list and keep it with you. This has the benefit of being readily available.
My personal favorite memory list is software on my smart phone. I’ve used several electronic gadgets over the years including the Franklin Bookman, a Compaq iPaq with Laridian, and now a Palm Centro with Olive Tree. I use the bookmark feature as my memory list. I almost always have my phone with me, which means I almost always have my Scripture memory list.
Which Verses to Memorize?
There are many verses that every Christian should know. Some verses are considered ‘standard’ and we are judged by the world whether or not we know them. I recommend learning them for this reason alone. If we know verses that the Christian world thinks we should know, we build credibility as Christians. Verses in this category include Psalms 23 and John 3:16. Verses that help to defend the faith are the most important verses you can memorize.
Hints and Tips
Picture the verse in its proper context. Don’t just try to memorize John 3:3. Recognize that John 3:3 is part of a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus and that the verse is about salvation. Remember the subject or topic. Remembering the subject of the passage helps you to relate the Scripture to something. If all you do is try to remember references you will have a much harder time remembering verses because they will be abstract thoughts that do not relate to anything. Write and teach as much as possible. Use software, especially handheld programs that you can keep with you. Keep your list with you and go over it as often as possible.
The Secret to Scripture Memory
What is the secret to help memorize Scripture? USE the Scripture. Use the Scripture in its proper context. Talk about it. Write about it. Teach it. Reflect on it. Meditate on it. The more you use the Scriptures, they longer they stay in your memory. Verses that I teach stay with me much longer than verses in my memory list. I can go over and over my memory list and I might or might not memorize what’s in the list. But once I have to teach about a verse, once I use the verse, that verse is embedded into my memory. The more I teach a verse the better the chance that I will remember it- without even trying.
Memorizing the Word of God draws us closer to God. It helps us to grow and see things the way God sees them. It keeps us from being deceived and gives us the knowledge we need to defend the faith and witness to others. It allows us to make disciples and spread the Gospel. It helps us to overcome temptation. Jesus fought Satan with the Scriptures. When you are being tempted, it is nice to have the power to just say “It is written…”
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Memorizing scripture is what many of us learn to do from an early age. When I was a teenager I questioned why we were always memorizing verses but not really doing anything with them other than having contests to see who could recite the most verses from memory.
It wasn’t until I was older that I realized the importance of doing this. All throughout the bible, we are told how vital it is to know the word and live by the word. It is through reading over and again that we are able to memorize the word and truly hide it in our hearts like David talked about in Psalm 119:11.
In today’s world, it seems we Christians are always fighting for our faith. So many people want to rid the world of anything resembling Christianity, and there are already countries where it is illegal to read from a bible. By memorizing scripture and hiding those words in your heart, no one can ever take your bible away.
Click the link below to read more about a pastor in China who was imprisoned and how the scriptures he memorized as a young adult helped him stay sane and kept his faith strong.
Freedom to Memorize Scripture