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What does the Bible say about living in the past?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible calls us not to be trapped by past sins, regrets, or former seasons, but to receive God’s forgiveness and press forward in new life through Christ. Isaiah 43:18-19 points to God doing a new thing, while Philippians 3:13-14 urges believers to forget what lies behind and pursue Christ’s heavenly call. In Christ, the repentant sinner is a new creation, and God remembers sins no more through His mercy (2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 8:12). Godly sorrow leads to repentance rather than hopeless self-condemnation (2 Corinthians 7:10). Though we learn humbly from the past, we set our minds on things above and live faithfully in the light God has given (Colossians 3:2; Romans 13:12).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Isaiah 43:18-19 7 votes

    [18] Don't remember the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

  • Luke 9:62 4 votes

    But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."

  • Ecclesiastes 7:10 4 votes

    Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 4 votes

    Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

  • Romans 13:12 3 votes

    The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let's therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let's put on the armor of light.

  • Philippians 3:13-14 3 votes

    [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.

  • 1 John 1:9 2 votes

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Colossians 3:2 2 votes

    Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

  • Hebrews 8:12 2 votes

    For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more."

  • 2 Corinthians 7:10 2 votes

    For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.

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