5 Reasons to Memorize Scripture (And How to Start)Sýnishorn

Scripture Memorization Renews Your Mind

It’s tempting as followers of Jesus to separate our lives into “sacred” and “secular.” For instance, church attendance and Bible reading are “sacred,” but work, school, and leisure activities are “secular.” When we divide our life into categories like this, we leave God out of a good portion of our daily living. When we belong to Christ, however, every part of our life is His and is to be lived for His glory, including our minds.

We’re commanded in Romans 12 to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). Rather than living like the culture around us, we are to renew our minds, aligning our thoughts and desires with God’s. When we renew our minds with what pleases God, then our daily living will reflect His heart. We won’t be able to divide our days into sacred and secular. Every moment will be lived for Him and through Him!

You are already renewing your mind with something. Whatever that something is will shape your thought processes and decision-making. It will affect how you feel and what you think about the world. What are you renewing your mind with? Is it a constant social media scroll? A steady stream of television or entertainment? Are those influences shaping you to think like Jesus or like the world around you?

Scripture memorization helps us replace worldly influences with solid truth that will shape our thought patterns in the best way possible. When you memorize Scripture, you think deeply about the words while you hide them in your heart. The daily practice of reciting Bible verses works God’s inspired Word deep into your mind. With time, you’ll see the effects of renewing your mind with Scripture. You’ll find that you think and act differently. You’ll discover that your love for worldly things is noticeably diluted. You’ll learn to love what God loves and live like you belong to Him. Give God your mind and watch Him change your life!

Memorization Tip:

Pairing memorization with daily tasks can help build the habit into your life. Think about moments during your day when your hands are busy, but your mind is not. Utilize those times to memorize Scripture. Some examples might include washing dishes or folding laundry, walking, commuting to work, or standing in line.