Memorizing Scripture to Fight Temptation

I will never forget my wife’s words: “I don’t think we’re going to make it.” We had just moved to Jacksonville, and the bills and moving expenses demanded more money than we had to give. We looked at our budget together and both quickly realized that she was right—and the temptation to sinfully worry came upon us both.

But suddenly, we remembered the words of Jesus that we had memorized long ago:

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

As we meditated on the words of Christ, the temptation to worry began to melt away—not because our needs had been met (they would be), but because we were reminded of God’s promise and his presence, even in hard times.

The reality of life in a fallen world means that you will face the temptation to sin until the day you die. In fact, Jesus himself faced temptation in Matthew chapter 4! Three times the devil attempted to cause our Lord to sin, and three times the Son of God responded with Scripture. Jesus knew Scripture. You and I must be like Christ. You and I must know Scripture.

Psalm 119:11 says,

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

This verse has a wonderful promise: we are not without help in our fight against temptation. God has given us his Word as a weapon—and we must use it! We must hide Scripture in our hearts so that when the moment of temptation arises, we are ready to fight it with the truth found in God’s Word.

Identify the sins in your life that you are often tempted by, and meditate on verses that address them. For example, if you are tempted to worry like I am, memorize verses that speak to worry—like the one I mentioned earlier. Pick one verse to start with and meditate on it. Write it on a notecard or in a note on your phone, and read it every chance you get. Recite it without looking until you know it like the back of your hand.

Hide the Word of God in your heart.

God himself has promised that it will help you fight sin.