Scripture memorization 3

Scripture memorization – it heals the brain. I have the privilege of working with the men at Nampa’s Lighthouse Mission, (pictured here) all who are in drug/alcohol recovery, most have served time in prison. Their initial response to memorizing Scripture is, “I can’t.” My brain has been fried with chemicals.” Part of the problem is that they resist the discipline of memorizing. But what joy on their faces as they speak out their verses, often acclaiming, “my brain is being healed through this exercise.”

An old coaching technique is administered. No memorizing this week? 10 pushups!

We continue from the last post to view benefits of memorizing Scripture. (adapted from John Piper)
Daily Triumph over Sin: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word... I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9, 11). Paul said that we must “by the Spirit... put to death the [sinful] deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13). The one piece of armor used to kill is the “sword of the Spirit,” which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). As sin lures the body into sinful action, we call to mind a Christ-revealing word of Scripture and slay the temptation with the superior worth and beauty of Christ over what sin offers.

Daily Triumph over Satan: When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness he recited Scripture from memory and put Satan to flight (Matthew 4:1-11).

Comfort and Counsel for People You Love: The times when people need you to give them comfort and counsel do not always coincide with the times you have your Bible handy. Not only that, the very word of God spoken spontaneously from your heart has unusual power. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” That is a beautiful way of saying, When the heart full of God’s love can draw on the mind full of God’s word, timely blessings flow from the mouth.

Communicating the Gospel to Unbelievers: Opportunities to share the gospel come when we do not have the Bible in hand. Actual verses of the Bible have their own penetrating power. And when they come from our heart, as well as from the Book, the witness is given that they are precious enough to learn.

Communion with God in the Enjoyment of His Person and Ways: The way we commune with (that is, fellowship with) God is by meditating on his attributes and expressing to him our thanks and admiration and love, and seeking his help in living a life that reflects the value of these attributes. Therefore, storing texts in our minds about God helps us relate to him as he really is.

All of us are emotionally crippled to some degree. We do not experience God in HIs fullness in part because of our emotional blockades. How will that change? Besides facing and Biblically processing emotional log-jams, one way is to memorize the emotional expressions of the Bible and speak them to the Lord and to each other until they become part of who we are.

For example, in Psalm 103:1, we say, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” That is not a natural expression for many people. But if we memorize this and other emotional expressions from the Bible, and say them often, asking the Lord to make the emotion real in our hearts, we can actually grow into that emotion and expression. It will become part of who we are. We will be less crippled emotionally and more able to render proper praise and thanks to God.