The Authority of Scripture

Belief in the full authority of Scripture is vital to living an authentic and victorious Christian life. Only through such faith can we experience the joy of being God’s children.

The Bible clearly states, “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 timothy 3:16). The words of Scripture are inspired by God.

As God’s children, we need to submit to Him. It is His authority that the Scriptures present. Consider the words of Psalm 119:137–138: “You are righteous, Lord, and your laws are right. The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.” Because Scripture reflects the perfect character of God, it is the standard by which we measure everything else.

Read and Memorize Scripture

One of my earliest memories is of sneaking out of bed early in the morning to watch my father kneel, pray, and read the Bible before going to work. That deeply impressed me as a child.

Every day my dad read a chapter from Proverbs, since it has 31 chapters and most months have 31 days. I still try to do that myself each day. In addition to other Bible studying and reading, I start the day with one chapter from Proverbs. And I have learned to do it on my knees.

Scripture exhorts us, “Be filled with the Spirit” (ephesians 5:18). To be filled with the Spirit is a command, a duty, and a privilege for the Christian. To be filled with the Spirit means to be walking in His light and to let His presence guide our minds. To do this we must spend time each day reading and meditating on the Bible, filling our minds and hearts with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible (colossians 3:16).

How about you? Have you disciplined yourself to read the Bible each day? If not, start today! Like my dad, begin in the book of Proverbs, and then systematically read each day. Start small and then build as your habit deepens. Why let another day go by without filling your mind with the words that bring you knowledge of God?

Memorizing passages of Scripture is another way to grow closer to God. The Bible says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (philippians 4:8).

How can we think on what is pure when we are confronted daily with impurity? By purposefully meditating on Scripture.

How can we think on what is pure when we are confronted daily with impurity? By purposefully meditating on Scripture.

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We can’t read the Bible all day, but we can always meditate on passages of Scripture—if we have memorized them. After 24 hours, research shows we accurately remember 5 percent of what we hear, 15 percent of what we read, 35 percent of what we study, but 100 percent of what we memorize.

Let me suggest five tips for memorizing Scripture. I think you will find them helpful.

1. • Read the verse out loud at least ten times.
2. • Write it out on a 3 x 5 card, thinking about each word.
3. • Practice quoting it (it should be easy by now).
4. • Meditate on it throughout the day and review it on subsequent days.
5. • Share the verse with other people as you converse together.

12 Passages that Can Change Your Life

If you don’t have an established Scripture memorization plan, start with these 12 passages. I have memorized and meditated on each one, and they have made a significant difference in my life. They can change your life as well!

New Birth

1. Salvation: John 3:16

2. Identity as God’s child: 1 John 3:1–2

God

3. Christ as the Word: John 1:1–2

4. God’s strength: Ephesians 6:10–11

Family

5. Wives and Husbands: Ephesians 5:21–33

6. Children: Ephesians 6:1–3

7. Parents: Ephesians 6:4

The Christian Life

8. Temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13

9. Confession and forgiveness: 1 John 1:9

10. Meeting together: Hebrews 10:24–25

11. Walk in the Spirit: Galatians 5:16–18

12. The Great Commission: Matthew 28:18–20