Treasures New and Old
Treasures New and OldSpiritual Warfare: Memory Verses
In this article I wanted to share a number of memory verses that I have found to be useful in our warfare of the mind. As we memorize and meditate on these verses, we will find that they become more readily available to assist us in removing errant thoughts and worldly mental attacks that seek to influence our hearts and minds towards worldly wisdom instead of God’s wisdom. In addition, they allow you to recall His promises and provide a solid ground upon which to base your beliefs.
When working on memorizing Scripture, always submit yourself to God first by covering your memory/meditation time in prayer.
These next verses are divided into three main areas: love, wisdom, and faith.
LOVE: 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.“
Galatians 5:6: “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
Galatians 5:13: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
Galatians 5:14: “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Ephesians 1:4: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
Ephesians 3:17: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”
Ephesians 4:22: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”
Philippians 2:2: “Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12: “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:”
1 John 2:15-17: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
1 John 5:2-8:
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
2 John 1:5-6: “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”
WISDOM: James 3:17: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
Psalm 111:10: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.”
Proverbs 2:2-6: “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 3:13: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”
Proverbs 3:19-24: “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”
Proverbs 4:5-8: “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; nether decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.”
Proverbs 4:11-15: “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”
Proverbs 5:1: “My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:”
Proverbs 7:4: “Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:”
Proverbs 16:16: “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”
Proverbs 17:24: “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.”
Proverbs 18:4: “The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.”
Proverbs 19:8: “He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.”
Proverbs 21:30: “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”
Proverbs 23:9: “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”
Proverbs 24:3: “Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established:”
Ecclesiastes 1:13: “And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.”
Luke 21:15: “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.“
1 Corinthians 2:4-8:
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Ephesians 1:17: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:”
Ephesians 3:8-12:
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Colossians 4:5-6: “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
James 3:17: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
FAITH: Romans 1:17: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.”
Matthew 9:22: “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
Matthew 14:31: “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?“
Matthew 17:20: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.“
Mark 11:22: “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.“
Luke 5:20: “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.“
Luke 18:8: “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?“
Luke 22:32: “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.“
Acts 3:16: “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”
Romans 1:17: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 3:22: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”
Romans 3:25: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
Romans 4:20: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;”
Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Romans 5:2: “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 10:17: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 11:20: “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:”
Romans 12:3: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Romans 12:6: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;”
Romans 14:23: “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
1 Corinthians 2:5: “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 16:13: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
2 Corinthians 5:7: “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh by justified.”
Galatians 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 3:7: “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”
Galatians 3:11: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
Galatians 3:24: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
Galatians 3:25: “But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
Galatians 3:26: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 5:5: “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”
Galatians 5:6: “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
Galatians 6:10: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Ephesians 3:17-21: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Ephesians 4:11-13: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:”
Ephesians 6:16: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Colossians 2:12: “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11: “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:”
1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 6:11: “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”
1 Timothy 6:12: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
Hebrews 10:22: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Hebrews 11:1-10:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. But faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, which he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:33: “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,”
1 Peter 1:3-9:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Jude 15:20-21: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
John 15:1-8:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that bearth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
A Word on Meditation
Meditation on Scripture is so totally different than the way the world meditates. God does not approve of saying some mindless phrase over and over to empty your mind. An empty mind is an invitation for wrong thoughts and outside influences to capture you and send you places you don’t want to go – and should not go!
Seven Steps for Meditation on Scripture
1. Meditation starts with memorizing the verse you wish to meditate on.
2. Once memorized, try repeating the verse with an emphasis on each individual word. For example:
- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
- THE Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
- The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
- The Lord IS my shepherd, I shall not want.
- The Lord is MY shepherd, I shall not want.
- The Lord is my SHEPHERD, I shall not want.
- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
- The Lord is my shepherd, I SHALL not want.
- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall NOT want.
- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not WANT.
3. If need be, look up any difficult words and learn their original meanings using a Hebrew-Greek dictionary. Strong’s is a good one and fairly inexpensive tool to use.
4. If the verse is third person or otherwise not “personal”, relearn the verse in the first person and make it personal. Example:
- Romans 6:1-2 (emphasis added): “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
- Romans 6:1-2: What shall I say then? Shall I continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall I that am dead to sin, live any longer therein?
5. Practice out loud with a friend. I always remember verses I practiced out loud much easier than those I memorized in my thoughts.
6. If the verse lends itself to a song meter, set the verse/verses to some easy to remember melodious tune. Verses I have learned that way I remember far longer than those I just memorized in “plain text”.
7. Always do a refresh occasionally so that it becomes part of the very fiber of your heart (mind and spirit). Long and difficult sections may need refresher repeats more often than short phrases or verses.
Memorizing Specific Verses to Defeat Sin Habits
We all have areas of weakness that need shoring up in our personal and in our thought life. I would encourage you to find specific verses that counter directly any area of weakness or sin habit you are trying to overcome. Always start with prayer and ask God to show you some specific verses that you can memorize, meditate on, and call out when temptation strikes. For example:
LUST:
Exodus 20:14: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
Psalm 101:2-3: “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”
Matthew 5:28: “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.“
1 Corinthians 6:13: “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.”
2 Timothy 2:22: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
1 John 2:16: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Proverbs 6:25: “Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.”
Galatians 5:16: “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Romans 8:6: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
James 1:14-15: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth fourth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
A Really Good Section of Scripture to Memorize
There are so many good Scripture sections to memorize. For example: all of Psalm 1, the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, Philippians 4 think list, and 1 Thessalonians 5 “rejoice evermore” list. But one section I encourage everyone to memorize, especially young men, is Romans 6 and personalize it. Here are the first ten verses personalized:
Romans 6:1-10:
What shall I say then? Shall I continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall I, that am dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Know I not, that so many of me as was baptized into Jesus Christ was baptized into his death?
Therefore I am buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so I also should walk in newness of life.
For if I have been planted together in the likeness of his death, I shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that my old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth I should not serve sin.
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Now if I be dead with Christ, I believe that I shall also live with him:
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him (or me).
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Maranatha!
Bro. Joe