In Psalm 78, the people of the northern tribes of Israel are described as “forgetting what God had done, the wonders He had shown them” (v. 11). They had spiritual amnesia. Ignoring God’s commands and forgetting all He had done on their behalf resulted in stubbornness, a rebellious nature, hearts disloyal to God, and unfaithful spirits (v. 8). These are certainly not qualities any of us would desire to have in our lives.

The Disease Defined

There are two types of forgetting. 

First there is negligence, a memory lapse of not remembering due to being distracted by the needs of the moment or overly focused on today’s demands and activities. This usually is a slow and subtle spiritual drifting when God and His Word are not our top priority.  We may be preoccupied by our own day-to-day schedules and desires, living as though God isn’t present. Jesus addresses this when He describes people who hear the Word but are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, leading to unfruitfulness (Luke 8:14).

Second, there is a purposeful ignoring and disobedience of God’s commands which are intended to protect our spiritual health; this is a willful negligence. Many times in the Old Testament, we read of the Israelites clearly making deliberate choices of this type: 

Judges 8:34 – “They forgot the Lord their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them.”

Jeremiah 7:24 – “Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts.”

Isaiah 30:9-10 – “For they are a rebellious people, deceitful children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction.”

Isaiah 17:12 – “For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not remembered the rock of your refuge.”

Proverbs 1:24-25, 29 encapsulates this type of forgetting as refusing to listen when God calls, not paying attention to “His outstretched hand”, ignoring His advice, and not choosing to fear the Lord.

Risk Factors and Disease Progression

1. POOR DIET: Less time focused on God and subtle neglect of His Word will result in signs of spiritual decline and compromise.
2. INSUFFICIENT REST: Cluttered minds which result in fear or anxiety that usurp time and displace contentment.
3. INADEQUATE EXERCISE: Becoming a “spiritual couch potato” who is careless or lazy about applying scriptural action and service to daily life. Complacency and self-satisfaction drive plans without seeking God’s guidance.
4. SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS: Idolatry begins to take root as awareness of God dwindles; there is increasing focus on worldly possessions, accomplishments, personal ambition, and material assets. Societal influence determines choices about time management, relationships, entertainment, and priorities.

Danger Signs and Symptoms

1. Diminished or rare prayer life
2. Lack of gratitude (prosperity can lead to forgetting God [Deuteronomy 8:10-14])
3. Little time in the Bible
4. Weak worship that is lukewarm or superficial (just “going through the motions”)
5. Failure to seek God before making decisions
6. Complacency toward sin

Preventative Care and Best Health Practices

1. Reconnect: Spend intentional, regular times in God’s presence through Bible reading and meditation on the Living Word that nourishes soul and spirit (Matthew 4:4; John 6:63). Participate in personal and corporate worship (Psalm 100:1-4; 95:6; 75:1; 29:2; John 4:24; Ephesians 5:19). Make intentional choices to include God in everyday life.  Worship is an effective prevention of spiritual amnesia. Psalm 103:2 prescribes, “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Both personal and corporate worship nourish our soul’s memories and bring spiritual reality into clearer focus. Our hearts are constantly re-invigorated as we are reminded of God’s mercy, love, beauty, holiness, and sovereignty. In the same way as daily multi-vitamins are recommended for physical health, daily doses of worship of the Lord are essential for spiritual health and growth. Just as it doesn’t take long to swallow a pill, it need not take long to have a few minutes in prayer and worship each morning before our day begins. 

2. Remember: Hebrews 2:1 exhorts us to “…pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard so that we do not drift away.” The Israelites saw many miracles (Egyptian plagues, Red Sea partings, water from a rock, manna in the wilderness) but still forgot God. We see miracles (our own salvation and that of others, changed lives, healings, material provisions, guidance for decisions) and we still forget what God has done or what He calls us to be. Our default is to forget IF we are not intentional. On what do we keep our focus or remember? On WHO God is: the Creator, Sovereign King of the Universe, Redeemer, Savior, Holy One, Ruler over All Nations! And remember His goodness in our lives: His past faithfulness, His promises, His purposes and provisions! Remembering strengthens our faith.
   Moses’ instructions to Israel are still applicable today: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live,” (Deuteronomy 4:9a)There is an associated command with remembering. “Teach them to your children and to their children after them,” (Deuteronomy 4:9b).The intergenerational impact of forgetting God affects our children and grandchildren (Hosea 4:6b). In Judges 2:10-15, a new generation after the death of Joshua knew neither the Lord nor His mighty works. They knew God existed but did not have a personal commitment or experience with Him. Remembering alone is insufficient; it must be followed by re-telling.

3. Realign: “Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on earth,” (Colossians 3:2). A positive mindset that is renewed and aligned with God’s will (Romans 12:2) leads to spiritual health and growth. This is done by focusing on what is true, honorable, lovely, and pure (Philippians 4:8), taking every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). A spirit of thankfulness will lead to deeper joy and peace in our everyday lives (Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:15). Our thoughts influence our actions as we choose a lifestyle of honoring God rather than “lean on your own understanding,” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Refresh: Sharing our faith and gifts with others will refuel our spiritual remembering and discourage spiritual amnesia. “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed,” (Proverbs 11:25). As we help, uplift, lovingly serve, encourage, and build up one another, our own spirits are strengthened (Luke 6:38; Galatians 5:13b; I Thessalonians 5:11; Proverbs 11:25; Hebrews 10:24).

Prognosis

Sadly, this same disease of spiritual amnesia can show up in the lives of Christians today. A primary cause is forgetting that we have been cleansed of our past sins (2 Peter 1:9) by Christ’s death and resurrection. Isaiah 17:10 shares this diagnosis: “You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress.” Oh, we may say that we know that Jesus is our Savior. But how often do we stop to spend time thinking deeply and gratefully about the miracle Jesus Christ has performed in our own lives to bring us from spiritual death to eternal life and how much it cost Him? And to thank Him with a humble heart?

So what is the antidote for spiritual amnesia? A starting point is reminding ourselves that Jesus is indeed “the Rock” – the only solid foundation for every aspect of our lives. Everything else on which we may depend has the potential of failing us, but He will never leave us on our own (Hebrews 13:5). Those of us who have been nursing mothers know that we couldn’t go very long away from our babies without strong (even painful) physical reminders. Isaiah 49:14-16 describes God’s inability to forget us as even stronger and more powerful than that. 

God always remembers us; may He help us to always remember Him.

PRAYER: 

Lord Jesus, help me to not forget You or neglect Your Word. Thank You for always remembering me! Keep my focus on You so that I do not drift away. Deliver me from anything that distracts or pulls me away from You. You, indeed, are the Rock of my salvation! Amen.

Bible verse references are in New American Standard Version (NASV).