Should God’s People Memorize His Word?

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

YOU will never understand a Bible truth more than when you memorize it!

“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:” 1 Peter 3:15

Memorizing God’s Word takes deliberate intentional effort, diligence, and brings the greatest reward (Psalm 119; Proverbs 2-4; Jeremiah 15:16, etc.). Memorizing Holy Scripture comes by repetition and association.

Where are you weak? Find one or more Bible verses that address your weakness. Write them on an index card. Memorize them.

THE MORE SCRIPTURE YOU MEMORIZE, THE MORE POWERFUL A VESSEL, A WEAPON YOU BECOME IN THE HANDS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Proverbs 4:4; 24:5; 2 Timothy 2:21, etc.).

When stating this, at times the excuse-making, lazy people become upset. Instead of repenting and applying their God-given faculties and time to Him, they attack the mere messenger for stating biblical and self-evident truth.

I’ve heard people misquote verses like the following verse and seem to attempt to use this as an excuse for not memorizing the words of God…..

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;” Hebrews 10:16

If this were the case, if the LORD was doing it all for us and we have no need to get those words of His into us, why then did the LORD command us to “read,” “study,” “retain,” and “meditate” upon His Word? (See Revelation 1:3; Nehemiah 8:8; 2 Timothy 2:15; Proverbs 4:4; Joshua 1:8.)

Knowing King James Bible truth is what equips you with divine substance to share (1 Peter 3:15).

Concerning His words, the LORD commands His people to “write them upon ….”

“And thou shalt WRITE them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:9

“And thou shalt WRITE them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:” Deuteronomy 11:20

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; WRITE them upon the table of thine heart:” Proverbs 3:3

“Bind them upon thy fingers, WRITE them upon the table of thine heart.” Proverbs 7:3

The “write” is to engrave, to inscribe (Hebrew kathab). When we obey the LORD by posting His Word where we can view, read, see, and meditate upon His words, they will become more and more inscribed, engraved upon the table of our hearts as an essential component to conduct our lives forward in God’s will. How else could His words be “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” if we don’t even know those words very well? (Psalms 119:105)

Someone might say: “But brother under the New Covenant we have the Holy Spirit now.” True and He enlightens and bring to our remembrance His Word and yet, He can only bring to remembrance to us that of His Word that we’ve put in us, right? Notice closely what Jesus taught:

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

Notice that the Holy Spirit is our “Comforter” and Teacher and yet He brings back to our “remembrance” specifically those things He has “said unto” us. And, the primary way God speaks is through an open Bible, not a closed one. In other words, the LORD speaks to those who are His true disciples, students. And His students study His words (2 Timothy 2:15).

On that note, brother Chris Sitter writes:

“Our job is to put the Word in us, and it’s the Holy Spirit – who will bring it out.”

You cannot possibly fully, properly meditate upon a bible truth you don’t first memorize or at least become very familiar with.

IF you want to most effectively preach the Word, you must memorize it! (See Proverbs 4:4; 22:17-21.)

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Proverbs 30:5

Is the LORD you claim to love important enough to you to memorize His Word?

It’s not till you memorize a Bible verse that you really begin to see what He’s saying in it. Try it.

ANYTHING you say out loud enough times WILL be memorized! Proverbs 4:4

Don’t just read it – MEMORIZE IT!

WHEN we have a weakness, the best thing to do is pray and find Scripture dealing with that thing. Write it down on index cards and begin memorizing, quoting, and meditating upon it (2 Peter 1:3-4; Psalms 119:11, etc.).

When taking college courses, I reduced the most important test information down and put it on index cards. Worked amazing.

“Christ’s words must abide or continue in us. We must study His words, fairly devour His words, let them sink deep into our thought and into our heart, keep them in our memory, obey them constantly in our life, let them shape and mold our daily life and our every act.” R.A. Torrey

Those who don’t love God enough to devour His Word daily – simply don’t love God – they are full of self!

“IF (IF, IF) ye CONTINUE in my word, THEN are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

IF you aren’t continuing in the Word it’s because you aren’t continuing, abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6).

Something special definitely happens when those divine words flow through your eye gates into your mind and through your hand – onto an index card!

WHEN you memorize the Word, it then owns you, and you own that treasure! (Proverbs 4:4)

“I know sometimes while I am writing out God’s Words on index cards, my hand wants to shake with emotion…I love him so much…I tend to get so excited and want to show the world what I have just read!!” Mary B.

In Israel, the LORD instructed those in places of authority to hand-record His Word.

“And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law (Word) in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:” Deuteronomy 17:18-19

It was Satan himself who cast doubt on God’s Word and added just one word to what God had said to the man and woman (Genesis 3:1-6). Apparently Adam and Even didn’t listen to and intimately know the words of God – “EVERY word of God.” This led to the fall of mankind and is today leading to the downfall of many – because they don’t give detailed attention and absolute daily diligence to knowing “every word of God” (Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 4:4). It is my opinion that when someone despises or so much as casts doubt upon God’s Word and/or the need for believers to intimately know God’s Word, such a person is under the influence of Satan who “cometh immediately and taketh away the word.” Is this not the work of the enemy? Jesus says: “Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts” (Mark 4:15).

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

“EVERY word” God has given us in His written Word is important! Listen to what the LORD tells us in Joshua 1:8:

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8

“Success” and prosperity, as defined by the Almighty, comes from knowing, meditating upon, and observing to do God’s Word.

GOT Bible verses memorized? Now that we have a verse memorized, meditating on it, mulling it over is vital for it’s application. Amen for sure. Many times, when tempted to burst forth with words that may not be edifying or appropriate, Colossians 4:6 comes to me. Have had this one committed to memory for a while. Upon reciting it, mulling it over prayerfully, the LORD comes shining through – every time!

If the Word of God is not to depart out of our mouths, according to Joshua 1:8, how could anyone object to and resist the need to memorize Scripture? Jesus had God’s Word memorized from His childhood and quoted it to the Devil verbatim while being tempted (Matthew 4). What higher precedence and example could there be for memorizing and knowing Scripture?

We cannot possibly properly meditate on a divine truth we haven’t memorized (Proverbs 4:4).

“Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.” Proverbs 4:4

“I’ve found that reading a verse that catches my eye over and over during my daily reading helps me retain.” Jon Crane

God’s Word cannot get into us unless we get into it.

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:17-21

God is able saints. Memorizing verses like these has helped this disciple mightily: Psalms 57:7; 63:8; 1 Chronicles 16:11; 22:19

The following is a divine command:

“STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

At times, some bring up the verses which speak of God writing His Word upon the hearts of His people. Yet, in context, this seems to be speaking of Israel, when they are ultimately restored to the LORD (Hebrews 8). It certainly doesn’t negate the need to know God’s Word intimately.

Did the LORD not tell His people to know His Word? Yes and He instructed them to surround themselves with His Word. Here’s an example of such divine instruction:

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Also, by experience we all know that we’ve been in situations, discussions, etc., where we lacked the distinct words of of the LORD that would have spoken perfectly to the topic being discussed.

Some seem to wish to shirk the responsibility to diligently study, know, meditate upon, and memorize God’s Word by saying things like “the LORD wrote His words on my heart” or “I am led by the Holy Spirit and so don’t need to know God’s Word that well.” This is seriously concerning and pure error.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err (go into error), not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29

When are God’s people “destroyed”?

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6

God’s people are “destroyed” when they lack the knowledge of God’s Word.

When do God’s people increase in strength?

“A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.” Proverbs 24:5

As we personally study and know God’s Word, His strength in us will be increased accordingly. God’s people increase in His strength when they are personally filled with the knowledge of His Word.

The LORD instructs us to write, record, retain His words upon the table of our hearts and by doing so we will obtain His favor:

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; WRITE THEM UPON THE TABLE OF THINE HEART: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4

Charles Pray writes: “You cannot retain any truths from the Word unless you first digest them. In other words God can only bring to your remembrance only that which you stored in your memory. Amen!”

Amen. Yes, this is what Jesus taught us (John 14:26).

Resistance to knowing God’s Word is sourced in the enemy of souls. It’s the Word of God that defeats him as we see our Savior doing when He was tempted in the wilderness by Satan (Matthew 4).

“Whoso despiseth (disrespects, despises) the word (the need for it) shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” Proverbs 13:13

Study Psalms 119.

MEDITATING ON GOD’S WORD

How to Learn God’s Word

“Let thine heart retain my words: keep (live out, obey) my commandments, and live.” Proverbs 4:4 It is of the utmost importance, advantageous for us to “retain” and capture the knowledge of God’s Word while studying the Bible. O How many times have we read/studied something in the Bible and couldn’t recall where it was when we needed it?!! Ouch that hurts! Can you relate? Isn’t that frustrating?! Also, does this (our lack of resourcefulness) not limit our usefulness to the Master? Obviously. Are you ready to begin retaining Holy Writ? “I’ve found that reading a verse that catches my eye over […]

Quick Test of Your Personal General Knowledge of the Bible

1. What Bible chapter is called the love chapter? 2. What 5 books make up the Pentateuch (first 5 books of Moses, of the canon of Scripture) 3. In what Bible chapter do we read of the fall of mankind into sin? 4. What is your favorite New Testament book of the Bible? 5. How many chapters are there in the book of Revelation? 6. Which 2 of the 4 Gospel writers where also 2 of the 12 original apostles of Jesus? 7. Which Bible chapter in Romans deals with, sets forth the divine instructions for things among Christians that […]

Teach the Bible [podcast]

JESUS IS COMING AND THE TRUE BODY OF CHRIST IS “HOLDING FORTH (BOLDLY DECLARING) THE WORD OF LIFE” “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16 WHEN you speak God’s Word, you are speaking divine authority. “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all […]

Abiding

Warned and Safe [podcast]

“By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4

PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach

“Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:28

Did you catch what the apostle Paul did to prepare the church to meet Christ?

Preach
WARN
Teach

Lynne Parker writes:

“I truly believe Christians will be tried by the Word in this hour. There is no more riding the fence or taking a neutral position. God Himself will place us all in a position to stand or fall according to the Word. “Deception” and its sister “delusion” are gripping the Body of Christ – like a dark cloud it is covering the land. The false dominion (NAR) theology and signs and wonders movement has effectively conditioned multitudes to forsake the authority of God’s Word and embrace their subjective feelings as guidance in discernment concerns. But in these latter days only those who divorce their feelings and trust only in God’s Word and have developed a love for the truth will overcome the devil’s schemes. Sadly many will be lost – it’s unfolding right before us.”

"Adorn the Doctrine of God" [podcast]

“Exhort servants (employees, slaves) to be obedient unto their own masters (bosses), and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” Titus 2:9-10 The context of the above passage is instructions to all Christian “servants” (employees) and how they can be Christ’s witnesses among those they work with, including their “master” (boss, owner, etc.). “2:10 One of the most obvious differences was that Christians did not succumb to the besetting sin of other slaves, namely, pilfering. The […]

"Warn them from Me": The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God's People [podcast]

The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God’s People [podcast] Jesus and His holy apostles often rebuked and exposed false leaders and false doctrine (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; 20:29-31; Galatians 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2:6, 15, etc.). Therefore we know that part of following Jesus includes doing the same. In fact, the body of Christ is mandated to do just that (Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:17; Jude 3-4). PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach “Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in […]

The Purpose of Elders in Christ's Body [podcast]

There is no more important work transpiring in the earth today than the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.). “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 In short, the authentic under-shepherd ordained of Jesus […]

Abiding

Teach the Bible [podcast]

JESUS IS COMING AND THE TRUE BODY OF CHRIST IS “HOLDING FORTH (BOLDLY DECLARING) THE WORD OF LIFE”

“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16

WHEN you speak God’s Word, you are speaking divine authority.

“These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 1:6

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

Nourishing the Body of Christ

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6

“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15

The best way to learn is to teach.

HOW well do you know your way around in God’s Word?

Jesus knew His way around God’s Word. Do you? If not, why not?

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he FOUND the place where it was written,” Luke 4:17

The disciple of Christ must daily and diligently search, study, and learn God’s Word in light of His Great Commission command to us to teach His Word to others (Matthew 28:18-20). Our ability to minister is in large part based on our knowledge of God’s Word or the ability to navigate God’s Word (King James Bible).

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – OBEY GOD, “PREACH THE WORD.” (2 TIMOTHY 4:2)

Tip: Always know WHERE you are reading in God’s Word – chapter and verse. You’ll be surprised at the repertoire that begins to build, making you, like Jesus, a good navigator of our LORD’s Word as you preach His Word (Luke 4:17).

Have you ever pondered why there is little or no Scripture being used when listening to someone pretending to be speaking about the LORD? You should wonder (Matthew 7:16, 20; 1 John 4:1).

“Preach the word” is the divine mandate, command (2 Timothy 4:2).

Let us cease to pretend that we represent the LORD when everything we say isn’t coming straight out of His Word. Read that again please.

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (written Word) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

Think God is calling you to serve? Good. If He has saved you, He has called you (Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:7). Get lost in His Word every day (Jeremiah 15:16). Read it (Revelation 1:3). Study it (2 Timothy 2:15). Memorize it (Proverbs 4:4). Meditate upon it day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1). THAT’s your prep for ministry, not going to an antichrist seminary. Jesus inducted you into His school of the Holy Ghost and Word the moment He saved you.

“As I was listening I was thinking of Paul. Who was a very educated man in the law. But after he was saved he spent three years being taught exclusively by the Lord Jesus Himself. And he says he “conferred not with flesh and blood.” But he was taught “by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Gal 1:12-18). All of us should be taught by the Lord in His Word and not learned through mere men or books. But by a direct revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus is The Word of God (John 1:1, Rev 19:13).” Karen Cochran

"Give us this DAY, our DAILY bread" [podcast]

QUESTION ASKED: “Please provide scripture to support your statement that ‘if you aren’t in the word daily you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus’?” I am a follower of Christ and have extensively studied the Word. Please provide specific scripture that says if you don’t read the Bible every day you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus.” REPLY: The word “daily” appears 7 times in the Gospels directly spoken by or speaking of our LORD Jesus. “Daily” is found 63 times in God’s Word. You are fooling no one except yourself to say that seeking, walking […]

"Be Diligent that ye May be Found of Him in Peace, without Spot, and Blameless" [podcast]

“Them that look for him” “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28 WHO will Jesus return for? – “Them that look for him” Jesus is not coming back for everyone. He’s only coming back for “Them that look for him.” Am I in love with Jesus? Or, am I just religious? Am I an authentic disciple of Jesus or a self-serving counterfeit? The grace-enabled purifying of ourselves in light of His soon return: “And every man that […]

The Book of 2 Peter Narrated [podcast]

Chapter 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption […]