Never Forget a Password Again!
A Holy Hack for the Digital Age that could Bless your Heart
This is an all too common moment for many: You’re sitting at your computer, surrounded by sticky notes covered in cryptic codes, trying to remember if it was “P@ssw0rd123!” or “P@ssw0rd321!” for your gym’s website. Sound familiar? I thought so.
Like many people, I have a password generator app that will produce some incredibly complex, hack-proof series of numbers, letters, and “special characters.”
What a nightmare that is! I can make them 8–16 characters long. I can make them easy to type. But I hate them all because I can’t memorize them. They are too complex, too long, and too weird-looking.
No joke: “kohw-kijl-zdpa-auim” was the last one I didn’t use. Really!? Sure, it might be hackproof, but it is also unmemorizable.
John3:16 to the Rescue
Here is an alternative approach that I’ve found both practical and meaningful: using Scripture passages as passwords. This method isn’t suitable for high-security accounts like banking, but for many of our day-to-day online interactions, it can be a refreshing change.
Here’s how it works:
- Choose a Bible verse that resonates with you.
- Use the book, chapter, and verse numbers as your password.
- Remove all the spaces, and voila, you have it!
For example:
- John 10:10 (“I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.”) becomes John10:10
- Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”) becomes Phil4:13
- The Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:2 simply becomes Luke11:2
See what I did there? Not only are these passwords secure, but they also help you memorize Bible verses. Want to play a little guessing game? Can you figure out what these citations point to?
- Revelation3:20
- James4:8
- Psalm23:1?
This approach offers several benefits:
- Security: These passwords typically meet the requirements for length and character variety.
- Memorability: It’s easier to remember a meaningful verse than a random string of characters.
- Spiritual practice: Each time you enter your password, you’re reminded of the verse it represents, potentially encouraging reflection or meditation.
Of course, it’s important to use discretion. Avoid using well-known verses that others might easily guess, and consider adding a personal twist to make them even more secure. And it is wise to stay complex and complicated about your banking password.
And remember, this method isn’t about showcasing your vast biblical knowledge or trivializing Scripture. It is about ease, comfort, and convenience. But it also provides a few small ways to integrate meaning into our digital lives. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with information and requests for our attention, these small moments of reflection can be valuable.
So, the next time you come across a Bible verse that speaks to you, jot down the citation. You never know when it might come in handy for your next password reset.
The Rev. David Roseberry, an ordained Anglican priest with over 40 years of pastoral experience, offers leadership services to pastors, churches, and Christian writers. He is an accomplished author whose books are available on Amazon. Rev. Roseberry is the Executive Director of LeaderWorks, where his work and resources can be found.
