Have you ever had someone play “CopyCat” on you? You know, the game where they continually repeat everything you say? Although you may laugh when your 9 year old does it, it is actually quite annoying–because their heart is set in mischief. Yet it is another matter when at 16, 25, or 32 you overhear their conversation and catch phrases or personal cliches you have used as a parent begin to roll off of their tongue, and you smile (or cringe depending on what they said!) knowing they are yours, and all of that time spent together has affected them in the deeper places of mind and life.
So also I imagine it is with God.
Memorization of scripture is a good thing. But to hear a child of God speak the Word from the depths of heart and life because of years spent in fellowship IS FAR GREATER than the academic who never allowed those memorized Words to penetrate anywhere further than the wrinkles of their brain in a spirit of boast, or worse: legalism.
“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth…” Proverbs 4:23-24 MSG
Stop the “Check Mark” game and get into relationship with Jesus. He’s waiting. 🙂
“For the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 WEB
