The Function of Scripture

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

I think the best way I have heard this verse explained was by Jim Berg, dean of students at Bob Jones University and author of the book Changed Into His Image. This is how he breaks it down:

The Bible teaches

• Doctrine - what is right for us
• Reproof - what is wrong with us
• Correction - how to make it right
• Instruction in Righteousness - how to keep it right

This Scripture, which is "breathed out by God", divinely works to convict men of sin and show them the way to God. (We read elsewhere that "the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.") I like the quote by James McHenry that says, "Bibles are strong entrenchments. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses and at the same time enjoy quiet conscience." Wow! That's true. That is why, when we neglect the Word, we tend to easily stray for obeying God and go our own way instead. Sometimes we might even neglect the Word because it makes us feel guilty! Rather than running away from it, though, we ought instead to "saturate" ourselves with it; turning to the Saviour for His cleansing, and then going in the strength of His Spirit and the power of His Word, our sword and our shield. Aren't you grateful that He has given us the revelation of Himself to be our guidebook for our lives?

More on Memorization

This is Part 2 to the article included in my last post.

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Memorization, to some people, seems like a frightful and looming task-- and there is the problem! “Task”! Memorizing shouldn’t be a task or a checklist, but something we eagerly go for, so that God’s Word isn’t just part of our morning, but the center of our whole day. It seems difficult, though, to remember so many words. Don’t let it beat you down! Ask God for strength and ability. He will honor His Word!

Some people find it easier to memorize a big chunk of a passage all at once while others would rather memorize shorter passages, consisting of just one or two verses. Either way is fine, as long as you are hiding it in your heart and not your head. Various people use different methods to memorize. There are many that I could suggest, but I would like to share with you just one very helpful method that I learned from a Bible study I went through (Changed Into His Image by Jim Berg).

Let’s take Psalm 119:9 as a practice verse. First, write out the verse.

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Now, on a different paper-- preferably a 3 X 5 card that you can carry with you-- write the first initials of each word, keeping all punctuation and capitalization the same.

“W s a y m c h w? b t h t a t t w.”

Looking at the card with the initials will help to trigger your mind about what the word is, without you just reading the words mindlessly and repeatedly. This helps for quick reference throughout the day as you work it down into your heart and head as well.

One thing I have been doing recently as I have been memorizing is an in-depth study of each verse and writing it out in a notebook. This is helpful for me because it helps me to think about what the verse is really saying, and when I remember the content of the verse, I remember the words of the verse as well!

These are some random suggestions to make memorization more practical and helpful and long-lasting. Of course, it does not matter what method you use, but that you are truly engraining it in your heart. What a wonderful privilege it is to hold God’s Word not only in our hands, but also in our hearts!

Below are a few practical verses and passages to work on, if you have not been memorizing lately and would like something to memorize.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9
Psalm 101
Proverbs 4:20-27
Matthew 5:3-12
Romans 12
Ephesians 4:25-32
Philippians 4:8
Colossians 3:1-17

A Way of Escape

I wrote the following article for a magazine some time back, but the magazine was discontinued before it was able to be published. Scripture memorization has really been on my heart lately, which reminded me of this article, so I decided to publish it here. :-)

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In the world of nature, God has wonderfully equipped many of His creatures with defense mechanisms and instincts suited perfectly to their environments. Some creatures have hard shells covering their bodies and shielding them from predators. Some creatures have great speed, and others can even change their color to blend in with their surroundings! Some attack their predators in return, with sharp tusks, teeth, and claws. The bombardier beetle emits a small chemical explosion from its backside to blow away its attacker, and there is one kind of lizard that will climb into a hole in a rock when preyed upon and will blow itself up to the size of the hole so that the pursuer cannot reach in and get it.

The parallels that God has made between physical creation and our spiritual lives are very noteworthy. We also have an enemy, the devil, who, “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He often attacks in subtle ways, like deception and temptation. Temptation is something that has come to every soul ever to inhabit a human body, and to listen to it and be snared by it will lead to sin, and henceforth to death (James 1:14, 15). It sounds bleak, doesn’t it? However, there is good news!

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

There it is! -- A promise from our faithful God to always provide for us a way of escape when temptation comes our way-- and it will come! Just as He has endowed His creatures with incredible modes of escape, He has also given us a way of escape in this realm of spiritual war. But what is this “way of escape”?

We will see the answer by observing the way taken by Jesus, Who is our perfect example. In Matthew 4, we read that Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. The devil was trying to persuade Jesus to do things that were outside God’s parameters, but Jesus, Who was sinless and perfect, knew how to combat these. Three times he replied, “It is written…” and proclaimed the words of God as ammunition against satan. Three times he overcame temptation with the very words of God.

In Ephesians chapter 6, we see a list of the armor God has given us to stand against the wiles of the devil. Many of these are defensive weapons to shield ourselves from the devil’s attacks; however, one of these is offensive, and that is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” The Bible is not just a book; it is the very words of God translated into our language so we can read and know His will and see His character. Therefore, when we use Scripture against temptation, we are using the steadfast, unfailing words of a steadfast, unfailing God. (Read Psalm 19 for a beautiful description of the Word of God.) With God’s Word, we hack away any guise of deception and see sin for what it really is. Satan cannot stand before the mighty Word of God, and has no choice but to flee.

So what does this mean for us? We have established a knowledge of the function of the Bible in spiritual warfare. But what shall we do with this knowledge? How do we know the Word of God to use it as weaponry against Satan?

The writer of Psalm 119 (probably King David) said, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11). There is a direct answer. We must not only listen to God’s Word and read it, but we must also hide it in our heart by diligent meditation and memorization. We must gird ourselves with the Word of God so that throughout the day we can detect Satan’s deceptions and combat them. We cannot let it go in one ear and out the other; we must “chew it down” into our soul and hide in our hearts. This is emphasized very emphatically in this Psalm. So when Satan comes along throughout the day and whispers in your ear a subtle temptation to disobey your parents or lie about something, you will have the verse in your mind ready to take out and use against Satan and to help you do right. Remember, it is the very words of God that you are memorizing, and God is so much more powerful than Satan is! The Word of God has all power to defend against the enemy and set our hearts upon our heavenly Father. It is truly a way of escape!

Sleepless Nights

Doesn't it annoy you when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep? It is to me! It generally occurs on Saturday night, when I'm trying to get a good sleep before waking up at 5:00 on Sunday morning, or it happens when I have something weighing on my mind. Sometimes it happens for no apparent reason-- and I just can't get back to sleep!

During the ladies' prayer time at church a couple weeks ago, one lady shared the following remedy for sleepless nights:

Instead of thinking about how you need to go to sleep or about the things that went on yesterday, start reciting Bible verses! Start at the beginning of the alphabet and recite a verse that begins with that letter, and then go on through the whole alphabet!

I have already tried this a couple times and it is definitely a superb way to spend my sleepless moments! Here is an example:

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

and so on :-)

I have found it is an excellent way to calm your soul. It is such a joy to recall verses of comfort and encouragement, and of the character of our God, as it draws us closer to Him. To use the words of the lady who shared this idea: This way, a time of frustration and distress can turn into a beautiful and comforting time of worshipping the Lord.

"My mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches." (Psalm 63:5b-6)