Forgetting, in the biblical context, often carries significant spiritual implications. It can refer to both the human tendency to forget God's commandments and blessings, as well as the divine act of God choosing not to remember sins. The concept of forgetting is addressed in various ways throughout Scripture, highlighting both its dangers and its redemptive aspects.

Human Forgetfulness

Human forgetfulness is frequently depicted as a spiritual failing, particularly when it involves neglecting God's laws and works. In Deuteronomy 6:12, the Israelites are warned, "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." This admonition underscores the importance of remembering God's past deliverances and maintaining faithfulness to His covenant.

The Psalms often reflect on the consequences of forgetting God. Psalm 106:21 states, "They forgot God their Savior, who did great things in Egypt." This forgetfulness leads to disobedience and idolatry, illustrating the spiritual peril of neglecting God's mighty acts and commands.

Divine Forgetfulness

In contrast to human forgetfulness, divine forgetfulness is portrayed as an act of grace and mercy. When God "forgets" sins, it signifies His forgiveness and the removal of guilt. Isaiah 43:25 declares, "I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more." This divine forgetfulness is not a lapse in memory but a deliberate choice to forgive and restore.

The New Testament echoes this theme in Hebrews 8:12, where God promises, "For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more." This assurance of forgiveness is foundational to the New Covenant, emphasizing God's mercy and the complete cleansing available through Christ.

Forgetting the Past

The Apostle Paul speaks of a positive aspect of forgetting in Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Here, forgetting is associated with spiritual growth and progress, as believers are encouraged to leave behind past failures and focus on their future in Christ.

Remembrance as a Remedy

Scripture often presents remembrance as the antidote to forgetfulness. The practice of remembering God's works, commandments, and promises is encouraged throughout the Bible. In Psalm 103:2, David exhorts, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." This act of remembrance fosters gratitude and obedience, reinforcing the believer's relationship with God.

The Lord's Supper, instituted by Jesus, serves as a perpetual reminder of His sacrifice. In 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, Jesus instructs, "Do this in remembrance of Me." This ordinance helps believers to continually recall the foundation of their faith and the grace extended to them through Christ's atoning work.

In summary, the biblical concept of forgetting encompasses both human frailty and divine grace. While human forgetfulness can lead to spiritual decline, God's choice to forget sins offers hope and redemption. Believers are called to remember God's faithfulness and to press forward in their spiritual journey, leaving behind past transgressions and focusing on their calling in Christ.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Forget.1950. epilanthanomai -- to forget, neglect
... notice. 1950 ("overlooking"), as an intensification of 2990 (), focuses on
that build on the forgetting (note the , ""). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1950.htm - 7k

1170. deina -- a certain one
... Probably from the same as deinos (through the idea of forgetting the name as fearful,
ie Strange); so and so (when the person is not specified) -- such a man. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1170.htm - 6k

7913. shakeach -- forgetting, forgetful
... 7912, 7913. shakeach. 7914 . forgetting, forgetful. Transliteration: shakeach
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kay'-akh) Short Definition: forget. ...
/hebrew/7913.htm - 6k

But You, on the Contrary, Forgetting How Great their Dignity and ...
... Book IV. 20 But you, on the contrary, forgetting how great their dignity and grandeur
are? ... [4184] Lit., "forgetting the so great majesty and sublimity.". ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/20 but you on the.htm

January the Fourteenth Forgetting God
... JANUARY The Fourteenth FORGETTING GOD. DEUTERONOMY viii.11-20. "Beware ...
lest when thou hast eaten and art full ... thine heart ...
/.../january the fourteenth forgetting god.htm

In the Next Place, Forgetting that his Object is to Accuse Both ...
... Chapter LXXVII. In the next place, forgetting that his object is to accuse
both Jews and Christians? In the next place, forgetting ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxvii in the next.htm

CM Doddridge. Forgetting the Things Behind.
... VII. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 315. CM Doddridge. Forgetting the Things Behind.
1 Awake, my soul! stretch every nerve, And press with ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/315 c m doddridge forgetting.htm

The Origin of Idolatry is Similar. The Soul, Materialised by ...
... Section 8. The origin of idolatry is similar. The soul, materialised by forgetting
God, and engrossed in earthly things, makes them into gods. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 8 the origin of.htm

Plato's Inconsistency He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent, yet ...
... Chapter XXIV."Plato's Inconsistency He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent,
Yet Capable of Forgetting What Passed in a Previous State. ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xxiv platos inconsistency he supposes.htm

That in the Time of this Word all the Creatures that ever have ...
... word all the creatures that ever have been, be now, or ever shall be, and all the
works of those same creatures, should be hid under the cloud of forgetting. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the fifth chapter.htm

The Harvest of a Godless Life
... The parallel title sets Him forth as the Giver of salvation; and both names set
in clear light the sinful ingratitude of forgetting God, and force home the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the harvest of a godless.htm

The Fiery Furnace
... Forgetting the remarkable providences connected with the dream of the great image;
forgetting also that the God of Israel through His servant Daniel had made ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 41 the fiery furnace.htm

Philippians iii. 13, 14
... Homily XII. Philippians iii. 13, 14. Philippians iii.13, 14 "Brethren, I count not
myself yet to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting the things ...
/.../homily xii philippians iii 13.htm

Forgetting (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Forgetting (8 Occurrences). ... Job 8:13 So 'are' the paths
of all forgetting God, And the hope of the profane doth perish, (YLT). ...
/f/forgetting.htm - 8k

Forgetful (4 Occurrences)
... It is also used of God forgetting or not seeming to care (Psalm 9:12; Psalm
10:11, 12; 13:01; 42:09:00; 77:9 Isaiah 49:15, etc.). ...
/f/forgetful.htm - 10k

Forget (77 Occurrences)
... It is also used of God forgetting or not seeming to care (Psalm 9:12; Psalm
10:11, 12; 13:01; 42:09:00; 77:9 Isaiah 49:15, etc.). ...
/f/forget.htm - 31k

Forgetteth (10 Occurrences)

/f/forgetteth.htm - 8k

Lies (208 Occurrences)
... it. But this one thing I do--forgetting everything which is past and stretching
forward to what lies in front of me, (WEY NAS RSV). ...
/l/lies.htm - 35k

Imagine (24 Occurrences)
... of it. But this one thing I do--forgetting everything which is past and
stretching forward to what lies in front of me, (WEY). 1 ...
/i/imagine.htm - 14k

Forsaking (29 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 65:11 And ye 'are' those forsaking Jehovah, Who are forgetting My holy mountain,
Who are setting in array for Gad a table, And who are filling for Meni ...
/f/forsaking.htm - 14k

Reckon (34 Occurrences)
... Philippians 3:13 brethren, I do not reckon myself to have laid hold; and one thing --
the things behind indeed forgetting, and to the things before stretching ...
/r/reckon.htm - 16k

Reviving (4 Occurrences)
... We too often merely pray for "revivals," forgetting that it is for us to "stir into
flame" the gift of the Spirit which we have already received of God. ...
/r/reviving.htm - 10k

Revive (31 Occurrences)
... We too often merely pray for "revivals," forgetting that it is for us to "stir into
flame" the gift of the Spirit which we have already received of God. ...
/r/revive.htm - 18k

Is forgetting the past biblical? Does the Bible instruct us to forget the past? | GotQuestions.org

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Forgetting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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