What does the Bible say about forgetting?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that believers are to forget what lies behind in the sense of not being ruled by past sin, shame, or earthly achievements, while trusting God never forgets His covenant mercy. In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul presses forward toward Christ’s call rather than living in the past. God promises in Jeremiah 31:34 and Hebrews 8:12 to remember His people’s sins no more, meaning He no longer holds forgiven sin against them because of His grace. Isaiah 43:25 likewise shows that forgiveness rests on God’s character, not ours. Yet Scripture warns against forgetfulness of God’s truth, as James 1:22-25 calls believers to hear and do the Word. In Christ, there is no condemnation and a new life begins (Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Philippians 3:13-14
[13] Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
- Jeremiah 2:32
Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
- Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more."
- James 1:22-25
[22] But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a mirror; [24] for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
- Jeremiah 31:34
and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Yahweh; for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.
- Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
- Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.
- Philippians 3:13
Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
- 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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