The more a person memorizes the Word of God, the more it impacts his or her life, and the more readily available it is to the Holy Spirit for application.  “Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Ps. 119:11).  It also is the tool that the missionary uses the most in cross-cultural ministry, as it has power to go to the heart of people.  “ For wthe 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.”  (Heb. 4:12).

 

Missionaries engage in spiritual warfare.  Ephesians 6:13-17 describes the believer’s armor. All of the elements of the armor are defensive except one. The only offensive weapon is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). Just as Jesus used God’s Word to fend off attacks of Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), so must we be able to use the same weapon. But rarely does Satan give us time to “look up” the correct passages when we are confronted with his lies and deception. Bible memorization ensures that we will have the appropriate truths and principles in mind and be able to recall them instantly to effectively respond to the evil one who seeks to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8).  Romans 12:1-2 exhorts us to “renew” our minds so that we are no longer influenced by the thinking that conforms us to this world. The primary way to renew the mind is to fill it with Scripture.​