God Chose Clarence and You
Misplaced Trust – Part 3

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-9

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:5 NLT

I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

I want to finish up our study of “Misplaced Trust” by looking at the second practical step that I see in Paul’s wording in verse two.  Note the words: “I would forget everything except…”  To be able to forget things of the past is a key to be able to live in freedom in our future.  The apostle confirms this method in the letter to the Philippians: “…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

We have all heard people say, “I can forgive but I can’t forget.”  That is really not true; with God’s help we can forget.  God is willing to help us purge our minds of things that haunt us from the past.  God does not want His child to be plagued with shame that comes from past sins and mistakes.  If we trust these “old wives tales” such as “I can’t forget,” it is misplaced trust.  Trust God’s Word—forget the past and look forward to your future.

We forget the shameful things of the past by first believing we can through the power of Christ in us.  Secondly, when the past creeps back into our thoughts, we must practice immediately replacing those thoughts with “God thoughts.”  We can repeat phrases such as, “I reject those thoughts, in Jesus’ name;” or “Thanks God for forgiving and removing those sins;” or “I can do all things through Christ.”  Repeat these until your mind is free of the past junk!  If you stay at it, it won’t be long until you’ll forget about those past events!

Father, purge my memory of all past sins and shameful acts, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.