Eat Scripture!

Initially when my students at the juvenile detention center asked why they should memorize scripture I would explain that just as we eat food to provide fuel for our physical growth, we need God’s word to provide fuel for our spiritual growth.  My students’ recidivism rate and my personal growth experience eventually gave birth to phrases that included: We must eat scripture.  Chew on scripture like it’s our favorite dish.  Like breakfast, it’s the most important meal of the day.  We shouldn’t skip it.  

I emphatically urged my students, “You should memorize scripture to become all that God created you to be and to become more and more like Jesus.  Scripture memory changes you.  It impacts the choices you make throughout  your daily living.

Just as food gives the body fuel it needs. Memorizing scripture gives the Holy Spirit the fuel He needs.  In order for you to hear the Holy Spirit above all the noise of the devil you must meditate on the word day and night.  The only way to meditate on the word day and night is to memorize the word.  Just as with eating food , you must chew, swallow, digest, and absorb the word if you want to experience transformation. 

Chewing and Swallowing Scripture:

You can compare memorizing scripture to food intake, chewing and swallowing.  If you only read (chew) the scripture you will not get the benefits of swallowing (memorizing) the scripture and keeping it inside of you.   If you regurgitate (forget) or don’t get proper amounts of nutrients, your body will not develop the most muscle and strength it is capable of developing.  With reading and studying scripture for a moment, you may develop an average Christiian life, you will be okay, but by memorizing scripture I would always tell my students,”You are walking around with the mind of God!”  Why do you think Jesus was so awesome!  We can’t be perfect, but isn’t the whole purpose of becoming a Christian is to be more like Jesus. 

As children we have all been told don’t bite off more than you can chew.  When we ignored the warning we may have choked or vomited.  A similar thing happens when we try to memorize too much too fast.  We choke. We become overwhelmed and eventually give up.  If we take in smaller portions of food over a longer period of time we can enjoy its savory flavors.  The same is true with scripture memorization.   You must focus on and savor the precious moments spent in God's presence as you memorize each line, each verse, each passage.  

Digesting and Absorbing Scripture

Scripture meditation  can be compared to digesting and absorbing food, receiving and utilizing the power and strength provided by its nutrients. Once memorized, you will review and replay the words over and over in your mind.  You will also inherently analyze (break the scripture down into parts) and evaluate (judge the value of the scripture) the scripture you have memorized.  Meditating on scripture this way gives the Holy Spirit the fuel it needs and provides many opportunities for the Holy Spirit, our teacher and helper, to teach, correct, and encourage Godly behavior.  The Holy Spirit will help us in new experiences and circumstances.  We see things in a new light and gain insights we may have missed or forgotten prior to memorizing the word.  As we meditate upon the memorized word, our growing desire becomes to live by the word.  This is the definition of holiness I’ve asked my students to adopt.  Not to live a perfect life, but to no longer have the desire to sin against God.  To desire to do only the things that are pleasing to God.

Reaping the benefits of Eating Scripture

Transformation occurs when the memorization and meditation phases are ongoing.  Once the body has all the proper nutrients for an extended period of time on a routine basis muscles develop. Each time the muscles are used, the muscles grow and become stronger.  The same is true for our spiritual muscles.  Over time you can lift heavier weight and not be anxious, fearful or doubtful.  You have prepared your mind for any attack of the devil. Just as Jesus did, you will respond with the truth provided to you by your heavenly Father.  You will never struggle to get back up again, to be your best.  You will respond with grace, peace, and love.   You will embrace your immortality!