STEP 9:  Memorize God's Word

Memorizing God's Word is a privilege, not a duty. The benefit is all ours, but the pleasure is all His.

Memorizing Scripture takes both time and effort, so you need a good reason to do it. Here are three good reasons.

First, memorizing God's Word honors Him. Read Psalm 119 and notice the honor the writer heaps on God and His Word.

Verse 89: "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven."
Verse 105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Verse 140: "Your word is very pure; therefore, Your servant loves it."
Verse 162: "I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure."

The reason the writer values God's Word so much is that He values God. God's Word is a reflection of Himself. It is a revelation of His mind. Memorizing Scripture is sometimes called hiding God's word in your heart. When you do that, you are also hiding God there. Remember, God wrote only one book, and you honor Him when you show respect to that Book-the Bible-by hiding it in your heart. "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Psalm 119:97).

A second good reason for hiding God's Word is to keep you from sin. The psalmist said it this way: "Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11). When you are tempted to sin, you need a premier defense. God has provided that defense in His Word. If you have memorized portions of God's Word, you will be ready for the Tempter. When he badgers you and tries to get you to fall into sin, you will need your arsenal of Scripture.

There is a perfect example of this defense in the Bible. Early in His ministry, the Lord Jesus was severely tempted by Satan, the Tempter.

The first temptation took place in a barren wilderness. Jesus had been led to this place by the Holy Spirit and there He had fasted for 40 days. Satan knew He would be hungry, so he tempted Him with food. Jesus quoted Scripture (Matthew 4:4).

Then Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple, high above the Kidron Valley. There Satan tempted Jesus to throw himself down off the pinnacle. Again Jesus quoted Scripture (Matthew 4:7).

Finally, the Tempter took the Lord to a high mountain and tempted Him with raw power, telling Him that all the kingdoms of the world would be His if He simply fell at Satan's feet in worship. Again Jesus quoted Scripture (Matthew 4:10).

Jesus is a tremendous example of what to do when you are tempted. If you have prepared yourself for temptation by hiding God's Word in your heart-by memorizing it-the Holy Spirit will bring those verses to your mind when you need them most. Remember, Bible verses will save you from spiritual reverses. Hide God's Word in your heart so you do not sin against Him.

A third reason to memorize Scripture is to prepare yourself to answer those who challenge your faith in Christ. In case you haven't noticed yet, not everyone is happy that you have become a Christian. Some of your old friends will do and say anything to get you to abandon your new faith. Your new life convicts them of the sin in their own lives. And when they come to you with silly questions, when they make fun of your faith, when they challenge your trust in the Saviour, you will be glad you have memorized God's Word.

The Apostle Peter counseled us with sage advice in I Peter 3:15. He said, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." Since you never know when you will have to give that defense, you must be ready always. This requires memorizing Scripture consistently. It is one of the important first steps for a new Christian.

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