Most likely the title has never crossed your mind as a thought before. But many Christians–myself included–have put up Bible verses on printouts and taped them to their mirrors, or written on index cards and posted them near their beds, or gotten verses artistically lettered and framed for their desks or living room wall pictures or castle hall tapestries. The Word of God plays such a central role in the Christian life it is appropriately honored when visibly depicted where we spend the majority of our time. Since the Bible plays such a transformative role in our thoughts, desires, words, and actions, it is only natural that people try to remind themselves of what God has told them by strategically placing God’s Words where they will be regularly, even unconsciously, read. This post is not a critique of that practice.
However, I’ve noticed when I myself have put Bible verses up in my apartment or room or office space, and even when I spend a lot of time in other people’s spaces, that I notice those verses less and less. I keep noticing the printed page or the index card or the framed picture, but I unconsciously move on to other thoughts immediately. I don’t even take the time to remember the truth I thought so important the first time I read the passage or when I posted it on my monitor. And since often these verses are put up to remember a specific application–a specific sin issue, a particular encouraging thought, etc.–this is not good. Ignoring the verse becomes slipping back into the old way without the enlightenment of the Spirit communicated through the posted passage.
What I suggest now is an improvement on the passage: rotate where and what you post around you as a reminder. Every month or so reevaluate what you scribbled on an index card and taped to your bathroom mirror. Do you still notice it? How are you doing with that struggle? Is the verse written on your wall still effective? If your evaluation provides a negative answer, there are a couple things you can do:
- Move the verse somewhere else. If it’s somewhere different, you’re more likely to notice it, read it, and let it take effect. This might be the best way if you got a permanent picture framed. If it moves around, you can keep it forever and notice it more frequently.
- Find another verse on the same topic and put it up instead or in addition. It’s highly unlikely the thing you wanted to learn from a single verse in the Bible is only addressed by a single verse in the Bible. Add another one! Grow in your knowledge of God’s Word and how it bears on your personal life.
- Add commentary. It’s likely you have your own thoughts on the verse that help you apply it to your life. Write these on a post-it or something! Put that up with the verse! As these visually change the presentation of the verse by your refrigerator, you’re more likely to stop and read and change your life.
Citizens & Sons 