Thinking TruthSample

REHEARSE THE TRUTH

On the first day of this reading plan, I asked you to choose a Bible verse and begin committing it to memory. Here’s why. Wallpapering our minds with truth has to start as an intentional practice that requires effort and discipline. But the goal over time is for it to become a reflex. We want the truth of God’s Word so deeply embedded in our DNA that whenever a lie comes swirling toward us, we can kick it to the curb without a second thought.

One of the best ways to effectively wallpaper our minds with truth is to add Scripture memory to our spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and prayer. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He most certainly did not have an Old Testament scroll with Him. After 40 days of fasting, He had internalized the truth in His heart and mind so that it was constantly on the tip of His tongue, even when He was experiencing hunger, thirst, and exhaustion.

Psalm 119 is the longest of all the Psalms, and its 176 verses focus on the role of God’s Word in our lives to guide, teach, and encourage us. Verse 11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” This perfectly describes what Jesus accomplished in His face-off against Satan. Guarding against sin, especially in the form of wrong thinking, is one of the benefits of memorizing Scripture.

Here are some of my favorite tips for Scripture memory to get you started.

• Write It: By hand, with a pen and paper. Write out the verse you want to memorize three, five, or even ten times. Muscle memory will help transfer those words to your heart.
• Erase It: Once you have written the whole verse down a few times, write it again, but leave a few keywords blank. Each day write it out, omitting a few more words.
• Pray It: Incorporate the verse into your prayers, believing God for the promises in His Word.

BATTLE FOR YOUR MIND:

• Continue to work on memorizing the verse you chose on day one.
• Try out some of the techniques listed above, or come up with one of your own.

This study is adapted from the book, The 7 Resolutions: Where Self-Help Ends and God’s Power Begins by Karl Clauson. What we think about impacts every decision you make and the direction of your life. Do you want to win the battle for your mind? Take The 7 Resolutions assessment and commit to this fight. https://www.7resolutions.com/assessment