Is forgetting the past something the Bible instructs us to do?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible often instructs readers to "remember." In the Old Testament, the Israelites were called to remember the mighty works God did for them (Deuteronomy 5:15; Psalm 77:11). Some annual holidays, such as Passover, commemorate those works and help pass down those memories to future generations (Deuteronomy 32:7). In the New Testament, we are exhorted to recall the prophets and the predictions of the apostles (2 Peter 3:2; Jude 1:17). Jesus told His disciples He would send the Holy Spirit to help them remember His teachings (John 14:26). Christ commanded us to partake in the Lord's Supper as a way to remember His work and also look forward to His return (1 Corinthians 11:23–26). We’re even told to reflect on our former sins so we can appreciate God’s grace and mercy in rescuing us from them (Deuteronomy 9:7; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 2:12). Every instance of remembering, whether it be our hopeless past, our personal witness of God's good work, or the collective memory of God's work throughout history, draws us into a more intimate and trusting relationship with our heavenly Father.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Moses reminded the Israelites to remember God's work in the nation and to pass down those memories to the next generation: "Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you” (Deuteronomy 32:7).
• Likewise, the psalmist in Psalm 77:11 declares, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old."
• Any remembrance that draws us closer to God is good. But one way of focusing on the past can be harmful: Romanticizing bygone eras so much that we overlook our current blessings or God’s future promises. Ecclesiastes 7:10 says, “Say not, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.”
• The Israelites’ expectations, based on the past, were preventing them from seeing what God was doing in their midst and what He planned for their future. Isaiah 43:18 says, "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old," but the next verse explains this is because God is “doing a new thing” in Israel. The focus should have been on what God was and would be doing in their lives.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Paul's example of "forgetting what lies behind" in Philippians 3:13 is directly tied to his "straining forward to what lies ahead." Paul knows his prize will come in eternity on account of the saving work of Christ Jesus, not because of his past status as a zealous Pharisee, as outlined in Philippians 3:3–11.
• We are to regularly remember Jesus' work on the cross through the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
• Ephesians 2:12 calls us to remember our hopeless situation before knowing Christ: "remember that you were at that time separated from Christ … having no hope and without God in the world."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

American writer William Faulkner said, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” The past is alive because it has shaped who we are now. As Christians, we’re “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17) because we’ve been adopted as sons and daughters of God (Ephesians 1:5)—yet our past is still with us, as it should be. We shouldn’t forget where we came from because it reminds us to be grateful for what Christ has rescued us from. Our past history with God also serves to strengthen our current trust in Him, as does recalling the history of the faithful who have gone before us (Hebrews 11).

God often uses our past experiences to influence our present ministry. For example, a Christian who was a former alcoholic could be the best witness for someone currently enslaved to addiction. A retired teacher’s skills might be used for a women’s Bible study. Christians who grew up in Mormonism could create a ministry for Mormon converts to Christianity.

Remembering is good as long as it doesn’t prevent us from moving forward in the kingdom work God has given us and looking forward to the eternity He has promised. Every instance of remembering should draw us into a more intimate and trusting relationship with the Lord.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible consistently instructs us to remember God’s mighty works, our need for His rescue, and His faithfulness.
• While remembering the past is important, the Bible also warns against dwelling on former things in a way that hinders our ability to see and embrace what God is doing now and what He promises for the future.
• Christians are called to “forget what lies behind” by releasing past burdens and focusing on the future hope in Christ.

REFLECT

• How do you personally balance remembering God’s faithfulness in your past with letting go of regrets or failures that might hold you back?
• How has reflecting on your past helped deepen your trust and gratitude toward God?
• Are there any memories or past experiences you need to release so you can better embrace the future God is calling you toward?

ENGAGE

• How can we encourage one another to remember God’s work in our lives without becoming stuck in nostalgia or past successes?
• What are practical ways to “forget what lies behind” while still valuing the lessons and grace found in our personal histories?
• How might sharing our past struggles and God’s redemption impact the ministry and witness of our faith?