Don’t Just Hear the Bible. Remember It.

by Rick Warren — November 21, 2024
From God's Vision for the Rest of Your Life

“Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.”

Proverbs 4:20-22 (NLT)

You don’t become wise just because you hear something that’s wise. You’ve got to remember that wisdom and then apply it. Because if you don’t remember and apply it, you’ll end up having to learn the same lesson over and over.

The Bible says this about wisdom in Proverbs 22:17-18: “Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings, and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them” (GNT). Notice the four verbs in that sentence: listen, study, remember, quote. Those are marks of wisdom.

People often say, “I can’t remember anything!” But the truth is, we all can remember what’s important to us. We remember what we love. We remember what really matters to us.

For instance, you might say, “I can’t memorize the Bible.” But you remember baseball or football statistics from the last season. And you can quote lyrics to popular songs or every step of a favorite recipe. You remember what’s important to you.

The Bible says, “Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body” (Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT).

When you develop a passion for God’s Word, the truth becomes important to you. And as you remember it and apply it, your life will begin to change.

Talk It Over

  • Why is it often easier to remember a sports statistic or your favorite recipe than it is to remember God’s Word?
  • How does your view of God affect your desire to study and remember his Word?
  • If you find that you don’t have much desire for the Bible, ask God to cultivate in you a deeper love for him and for his Word.

Where will you spend eternity?

Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace that allows you back into a right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you’re ready to make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I believe you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.

“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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