Forgetting Those Things Which Are Behind

But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.  Philippians 3:13

Bumps, bruises, mistakes and wounds from the past, most of us have experienced them.  Some may think that it is just human nature to remember or meditate on these things but it is not.  Negative memories from the past are a cleverly disguised trick of the enemy to prevent us from moving forward into God’s purpose and plan for our lives!  Notice that in today’s verse of Scripture, Paul says “but this one thing I do.”  Paul did not say that the one thing he did was to give more, pray more, or even serve in the church more.  Paul stated that the number one thing he did was to forget those things which are behind and reach for those things which are before.  He realized that he would not be able to reach forward for God’s purpose and plan for his life without forgetting the past.  Anytime we are tempted to dwell on one of those negative thoughts from the past, we must cast them down.  2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us concerning what to do with thoughts that do not line up with the Word of God.  It states, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”  Years ago, while attending a Joel Osteen meeting, I heard him say that whenever your mind is attacked with a negative thought, say out loud “I thank you Lord that you are working everything out for my good” and “my eyes are upon you Lord, therefore I will relax and enjoy my life.”  In order to get rid of negative thoughts, you must replace them with positive ones.  Two things cannot occupy the same space.  You will either think on negative things or positive things but not both.  We replace negative thoughts by speaking the Word of God out of our mouths and by meditating on positive thoughts.  Philippians 4:8 states, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  Notice that the first thing Philippians 4:8 instructs us to think on are whatsoever things are true.  We are not to think on negative thoughts because more often than not, they are the lies of the enemy and not the truth anyway.  The Bible notes that Satan is “a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44).  How does he lie?  He lies through thoughts he interjects into our minds that our contrary to the truth of God’s Word and that are negative.  God is positive.  His desire is for us to not worry at all and have a mind and heart filled with the positive truth of His Word.  Go ahead and cast down and forget those thoughts from the past and move into the glorious future that God has planned for you from the foundation of the world!