top of page
Search

Forgetting: Key to a Proper State of Mind and Reaching Ultimate Goals

Writer's picture: Kent BrandenburgKent Brandenburg

It’s easy for many, even genuine Christians, to swing between over-confidence and rosiness to morbid introspection and discouragement. The Apostle Paul gives a perspective that cures those extremes in Philippians 3, that keeps a believer in his or her right state of mind. This relates to having goals and accomplishing them. It is in verse 13, which says, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”

To fulfill goals or even the purpose for human existence, the ultimate goal, one must forget those things which are behind. That means forgetting both victories and defeats. This also ensures a forward looking sight and leaning. I’m not saying that we don’t look backwards at all. You consider what occurred in the past, you learn from it, and then you move on.

Parking on past victories can and does result in pride. It hinders righteous ambition, luxuriating in the thoughts of good past actions. It will also keep one from one’s ultimate goal or goals. Forgetting the past defeats helps avoid depression. God expects you to move on from those once properly assessed. The Lord also forgives for past actions for the repentant.

The alternative is “reaching forth unto those things which are before.” This helps keeps a proper state of mind. The whole epistle to the Philippian church repeats a theme of joy. Joy comes from looking unto Jesus, not unto yourself. Continuing a focus on past victories and defeats keeps the focus on you and not on Him.

11 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

More Than Common Sense

In his January 20, 2025 inaugural address, the 45th and 47th president of the United States said the following sentence: “With these...

The Moral Nature of God

Almighty God created man as recorded in the first and second chapters of Genesis. In Genesis 1 God created man in His image. Our...

The Quality of Simplicity

The United States this week began the experience of a new president with a radically new philosophy of leadership. Some call it “common...

Comments


SERVICE
TIMES

Sunday

Sunday School             9:30am

Morning Worship     10:30am

Evening Worship        6:00pm

Wednesday

Prayer and Bible Study     7pm

EMAIL
Kent Brandenburg, pastor
    ADDRESS

South Decatur Baptist Church

PO Box 275

210 W Small St.

Westport, IN 47283 

 

PHONE
Tomb.jpg

510-260-6590

MAP

© 2023 by HARMONY. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page