Proverbs 22:17-18 (ESV)
17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge,
18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.
This is the first of thirty explicit sayings. To be wise, one must choose to first listen to sound advice. But merely hearing godly wisdom is not sufficient. The student must also put the truths she learns into practice. In addition, one should memorize the words of the Lord so that biblical instruction saturates her heart and mind, overflowing into the very words she speaks. Though it is hard work to memorize Scripture, it is well worth it.We all commit to memory the things that are important to us. Retained addresses and directions, birthdays and special events, or lines from our favorite movies and songs remind us that we all have the ability to recollect the information that interests us. How much Scripture have you memorized recently? What can you do to add to the amount of biblical wisdom in your mind and heart before the end of this year? Why not begin by memorizing this passage from the Proverbs today!