As children in Bible classes, we were often assigned portions of Scripture to memorize and recite the next time we would meet. I can recall learning the passage and reciting it with pride, only to forget it within a week's time! The same routine continued throughout high school, though this time with academics. Formulas in math were only stored mentally for a short time (i.e. until the test was passed), as were Shakespearean quotes, governing laws, and Spanish verb conjugations.
There are many "popular" Bible passages that people all over the world have memorized: John 3:16, Psalm 23, I Corinthians 13:4-8 are just a few. Theses passages are beautiful, meaningful, comforting, and lovely! Knowing them by heart can bring reassurance and peace in times of trouble and in day-to-day life.
Now let's look at Psalm 119:11, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You" (NASB). It seems here that the Psalmist is on to something we too often fail to take notice of. We tend to memorize passages of Scripture that are "feel good" passages--and we should! But do we realize that a tool for fighting temptation is right at our fingertips?
Why don't we memorize verses such as Galatians 5:16-17,
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."
Or Romans 6:12-14,
"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."
Why do we suppress these Scriptures when we begin thinking of passages we'd like to "treasure in our hearts?" Do we maybe not feel good when we read these verses? Do we maybe feel convicted, pierced, pricked to the heart? One of our main motives for memorizing Scripture should be as we read in Psalm 119:11, "That I may not sin against You [God]."
Which passages in God's Word convict you? Which are difficult for you to read, because you know you struggle to follow them? I know I have many, and I need to etch them more deeply into my heart, as well. I challenge us to find those Scriptures--and memorize them, write them down! When we learn to treasure Scriptures that encourage and warn us to keep from sin, we will find that indulging in Satan's destructive traps becomes less and less enticing and obeying God's perfect commands becomes more and more appealing.
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By Hannah
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