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What does the Bible say about looking back?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible warns against clinging to the past in ways that hinder faith, obedience, and hope, while calling believers to remember God’s works and press forward in Christ. Jesus says that one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for God’s kingdom, and He solemnly says, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 9:62; Luke 17:32). Philippians 3:13 calls Christians to forget what lies behind and strain toward what lies ahead, trusting God’s grace rather than past failures or achievements. Isaiah 43:18-19 proclaims that God is doing a new thing, and 2 Corinthians 5:17 assures believers that in Christ they are new creations. Looking back rightly should lead to repentance, gratitude, wisdom, and renewed obedience.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Luke 9:62

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

  • 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,

  • Genesis 19:26

    But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

  • Isaiah 43:18-19

    [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 9:59-61

    [59] He said to another, "Follow me!" But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." [60] But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God." [61] Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to bid farewell to those who are at my house."

  • Ecclesiastes 7:10

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

  • 2 Peter 2:21-22

    [21] For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. [22] But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, "The dog turns to his own vomit again," and "the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire."

  • James 1:23-25

    [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.

  • Luke 17:32

    Remember Lot's wife!

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