Is Forgetfulness a Sin?

[ChildofChrist]

Not really sure where this topic should be placed so I am letting rest here.

I am currently reading Christ Object Lessons with pen in hand and marking up the book something awful.

Today I was reading about the ONE TALENT, page 156 in my edition.

"Habits of negligence should be resolutely overcome. Many think it a sufficient excuse for the grossest errors to plead forgetfulness. But do they not as well as others, possess intellectual faculties? Then they should disciopine their minds to be retentive.It is a sin to forget, a sin to be negligent. If you form a habit of negligence, you may neglect your own soul's salvation and at last find that you are unready for the kingdom of God.

Do you think that this pertains to those with senior moments? Or anyone that forgets? I realize those with mental disorders would not be held accountable nor youngest children.

I find that as I've matured, I forget things. When I was a kid, I knew almost everyone on the school when there were 6 or 7 classrooms. Now in church I can't recall some peoples' names.

What does she mean here? Is there Biblical support for this?

I think the thought of being able to forget somethings is better on the heart then to struggle with painful memories.

[aldona]

A few months ago I recall a thread on these forums in which Mrs White was quoted as saying that it was a sin to be sick.

Now it seems it is a sin to forget as well.

Maybe we should do a search of her writings and make a list of everything else that is a sin.

No wonder we have so many guilt-ridden, fearful, neurotic Adventists.

aldona

[Tom Wetmore]

Yes, I remember that topic, even though I was trying to forget about it... :smilewink: But Aldona, you must have forgotten that in that topic, I also referenced the above sin as one of the odd-ball sins indentified by EGW. Tsk, Tsk!

By the way, that topic was Calling Sin By Its Right Name...

Tom

[Dr. Shane]

As I read that it really seems to apply to me. I don't think the context of it is regarding people that are getting old or have mental illness. The key for me was when she wrote, "Many think it a sufficient excuse for the grossest errors to plead forgetfulness." In my line of work I deal with this all the time. Someone makes a commitment to me to do something and than after not following through and doing it, claims they forgot. Well, get a pad of paper and keep a "To Do" list! Get a little organized. I think that is the thrust of her message.

An organizer can completely revolutionize a person's life. It doesn't have to be an electronic one either. I have an electronic one and my wife has a paper one. Each allows us to pencil in hour by hour what we need to do. My wife stays home and has everything listed in hers from washing the dishes and laundry to mailing out birthday cards and helping Alex with his piano lessons.

She writes, "they should discipline their minds to be retentive." I am not sure what she has in mind but I know that for me I have to write stuff down in an organized way to remember it.