On page 25, of the book, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is quoted as saying:
“At this moment God . . . loses all reality. . . . Satan does not fill us with hatred of God, but with forgetfulness of God.”
"Forgetfulness of God" - I think this is one of the biggest problems with men.
That being the case, the same chapter on page 29, Hughes mentions a practical "Discipline of Memorization"
I personally think or this as the "discipline of REMEMBERING" meaning, training ourselves to remember.
The questions is, what do we choose to remember more? Sports stats? The weather report? Our old life? We remember lots of things, but when it comes to the scripture, we have such difficulty, even to the false claim that "I can't memorize". I'm only speaking from my own experience - not claiming for anyone else here, but the fact is, the translation of that statement is usually, "I don't want to memorize this particular thing."
Well that's enough of that for now, I thought it would be worth listing some of the references Hughes sites. Is we make the effort to get the Word of God in us, meaning making time with Jesus, in His Word, God will do His part in bringing to remembrance His very truth and He will do it in a way that will empower us to make it real and apply it to our life. The fruit will be seen in things like "fleeing temptation"; "setting hindrances that so easily beset us aside"; and the like.
So I've just gathered the references he gave in the chapter and maybe a few others:
Matthew 4:4, 7, 10, 11 – One of the main points here is that Jesus combats/answers temptation with the Word of God, for which NOTHING can overcome.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word
Psalm 119:11
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you
Job 31:1
I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.
Proverbs 6:27
Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?
Mark 9:42-48
Paraphrase:
If your hand or your foot or your eye offends you, cut them off or out. It’s better to enter into heaven with less than to allow this offence to cause you to enter into Hell.
This leads to Hebrews 12:1-2:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Ephesians 5:3-7
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
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.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (vs 16 in particular)
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
I encourage and exhort us all to commit to remembering these and other scriptures to memory, and I believe that God will use them to make us remember them in times of temptation, and more importantly, to remember HIM!
This too, will take some "spiritual sweat".
More to come.