Forgetting God is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with the influence of false teachers who lead believers astray. This phenomenon is addressed throughout Scripture, warning the faithful of the dangers posed by those who distort the truth and encourage a departure from God's commandments.

Old Testament Warnings

The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of forgetting God, particularly in the context of Israel's relationship with Him. In Deuteronomy 8:11-14 , Moses warns the Israelites: "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes which I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."

The prophets also spoke against false prophets who led the people away from God. Jeremiah 23:16 states, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.'"

New Testament Exhortations

In the New Testament, the apostles continue to warn against false teachers who encourage believers to forget God. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, expresses concern over the influence of false teachers: "I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:6-7).

Peter also addresses this issue in 2 Peter 2:1 : "Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves."

Characteristics of False Teachers

False teachers are often characterized by their deceptive nature and their ability to lead believers away from the truth. They may appear as genuine leaders but ultimately serve their own interests. Jesus Himself warned of such individuals in Matthew 7:15 : "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

The Apostle John provides further insight into the nature of false teachers, emphasizing the importance of discernment: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

Consequences of Forgetting God

Forgetting God, as encouraged by false teachers, leads to spiritual decline and separation from the blessings of a relationship with Him. The Bible consistently portrays this forgetfulness as a path to destruction. Hosea 4:6 declares, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."

The New Testament echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of remaining steadfast in the truth. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 , Paul warns, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

Call to Remembrance

The antidote to forgetting God is a deliberate and continual remembrance of His works, commandments, and promises. Believers are encouraged to remain vigilant and grounded in the truth of Scripture. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, urges the faithful: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16).

By adhering to the teachings of Scripture and remaining wary of false teachers, believers can guard against the peril of forgetting God and maintain a vibrant and faithful relationship with Him.Jeremiah 23:27
Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
Nave's Topical Index

Written from Rome
... He encouraged the believers to look forward to the time ... of God that the apostles
met the false theories of ... We are in danger of forgetting God, of looking at ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 45 written from rome.htm

Third Sunday after Easter
... Other prophets had encouraged them with the promise of ... to lose the eternal, but leaving
behind"forgetting"the former ... Nor has God separated you from men; he ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday after easter.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... the knowledge of God, by their false interpretations of ... Jesus further encouraged
his disciples by assuring them of ... folly to seek for gold while forgetting God. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed ...
... behave kindly and harmlessly, forgiving and forgetting injuries, for ... going free"whereby
others would be encouraged to refuse ... duty by the law of God, as they ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter i the doctrine of.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... creation of man in the likeness of God, arguing that ... searching analysis of the true
wisdom which teachers of the ... pride yourselves on that"and be false to the ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr
... which is bound down by ignorance, I am encouraged to add ... those who do them and then
bring false witness [against us ... else than to draw men away from God who made ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the first apology of justin.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... inevitable? And why do we not, encouraged by the hope of the reward, offer
to God that which must be wrung from us against our will. "He ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Tendencies of Religious Thought in England, 1688-1750.
... of history cannot be disposed of by forgetting them. ... of the being and attributes
of God, upon which ... in his hand, the congregation clamorously encouraged him to ...
/.../tendencies of religious thought in.htm

Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times
... which alone has true Being, and forgetting the limits ... he then ventured to appear
in public, encouraged by Tauler's ... earnestness, that you pray to God for all ...
/.../introductory notice respecting taulers life.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... may see the necessity of taking a high degree in, and of never forgetting this Bible ...
He tells us that in his youth "God put it into my parents hearts to put me ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

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