that I might not sin

Two weeks ago, I embarked on a journey to begin memorizing the New Testament. I first received the idea from an RD at Master’s. My roommate, Andrew, and I committed to a program of memorizing a chapter a week, starting with the book of Romans (download the plan). Today we start on chapter 3. At this rate, we will finish the New Testament in 5 years (260 chapters, 260 weeks). I know it sounds a little crazy, but I know I need it.

Over the years, I have become more and more familiar with the Bible. I can locate generally where things are found and can recite the idea of a particular verse. I have “memorized” all my life too. But this memorization has not been of my own choosing, but an assignment either for school, Awana, or church. I know the desired purpose of all those assignments was to really remember the verses for my own spiritual growth, I didn’t walk away meditating on the truth and wanting to know God better.

I know I need a vigorous memorizing plan like this because it will force we to interact with Scripture in the small spaces of my day. When I am driving in the car, waiting for someone to show up, or just walking around, I have time to whip out the small piece of paper and work on the next verse. In this, I turn my attention to the things of God more often. Already I’m seeing the fruit of this, but I need it more. I need it also because Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” If I want to fight against sin, then I need to be storing the word in my heart. Try to sin against God when you have Romans 1 on your mind.

If you don’t have any plan for locking God’s truth in your soul, I encourage you to do so. I doesn’t need to be a chapter a week, but it should be something you can meditate on and that will send your mind Godward when you are tempted to sin.