By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
My husband and I have a friend named Chris. Like so many others who have been diagnosed with autism, Chris has been given a special gift. He is an autistic savant.
Ask Chris the weather from any day since his birth and he can tell you if it was cloudy, sunny, rainy, snowing, and even the temperature. He has total recall about weather in the city where he has lived.
When Chris first told us about his special aptitude, we tested him using dates like our wedding or birthdays. Chris was 100% right every time. We even used the Internet to pull up random days, and guess what? Chris hit the mark every single time.
Most of us have not been blessed with a “supercharged” memory like Chris; we have to work hard at remembering.
Shortly after I surrendered my life to Christ, I had a profound conversation with one of my Christian mentors. I asked her about scripture memorization and why it was supposed to be such an important practice to implement into my daily life. (Honestly, it seemed like a waste of my time.)
Ann’s explanation made a lot of sense to me, so I want to share it with you.
She said that we won’t always have our Bibles with us to know if we are hearing truth or being deceived. Therefore, if we tuck God’s Word into our heart through scripture memory, the Holy Spirit is able to bring forth God’s truth every time we need it.
“All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.” (Psalm 119:160)
Ever since that day, I have had a deep desire to sow God’s truth into the recesses of my mind. I want to be equipped with every tool available as a Christian so that I can identify truth, throw out lies, and preach the love of Jesus wherever I go.
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Memorizing scripture helped me escape bondage to bulimia. Being continually deceived in the areas of food, body-image, and self-esteem is what had led to my eating disorder in the first place. (In those days, the enemy was easily able plant lies in my mind because I didn’t know the truth.)
“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32)
Every time God’s truth is intentionally planted in the mind, it becomes a protective layer over the heart; a barrier that shields us from Satan’s ongoing deception.
Are you taking time to memorize God’s truth?
“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89)
God has given us an incredible gift to remember; let’s not let it go to waste.
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” (Psalm 103:17-18)
