Is forgetting a sin

[Ellen]

I lose things occasionally, sometimes really important things!  So I thought Jesus was human, experienced things humans experience.  Jesus never sinned.  Do you think He ever lost anything, had to look for something, forgot to do something? 

[Green Cochoa]

14 minutes ago, Ellen said:

I lose things occasionally, sometimes really important things!  So I thought Jesus was human, experienced things humans experience.  Jesus never sinned.  Do you think He ever lost anything, had to look for something, forgot to do something? 

Mrs. White wrote about this, and I have it bookmarked.

Quote

 "My husband's mind should not be crowded and overtaxed. It must have rest, and he must be left free to write and attend to matters which others cannot do. Those engaged in the office could lift from him a great weight of care if they would dedicate themselves to God and feel a deep interest in the work. No selfish feelings should exist among those who labor in the office. It is the work of God in which they are engaged, and they are accountable to Him for their motives and the manner in which this branch of His work is performed. They are required to discipline their minds. Many feel that no blame should be attached to forgetfulness. This is a great mistake. Forgetfulness is sin. It leads to many blunders and to much disorder and many wrongs. Things that should be done ought not to be forgotten. The mind must be tasked; it must be disciplined until it will remember.  {3T 12.1}  

Blessings,
Green Cochoa.

[Gregory Matthews]

The normal human mind has been programed to forget.

I doubt that you can remember what you ate for lunch 20 years ago.  you forgot.

NOTE:  I am aware of the exceptions to the above. 

But, there are limits programed into the typical human mind in the condition in which we live

The problem is that we all to often forget what we do not want to face.   IOW, sometimes, our forgetfulness is actually what we do not want to remember.  If I do not want to do an unpleasant task, I may chose to forget it, even if my choice is not conscious..

 

.

[pierrepaul]

Forgetting details from the past is no sin. Forgetting obligations to be performed in a careless or negligent manner is sin.

[joeb]

On 2/27/2016 at 7:09 AM, Green Cochoa said:

 

I think she is addressing specific issues that affect our memory.  She is addressing carelessness, lack of moderation, and our responsibility to our fellow human beings.  You will find each of these issues addressed in your quote.  In those contexts, yes, forgetfulness is sin because it is caused by actions that are in themselves sinful.  Sometimes someone else's forgetfulness can be our sin when that person is taxed beyond their capabilities because we won't/don't do our share of what needs to be done.

[Raphael]

Forgetting your wallet and ending starving and stranded probably isn't only sin but very hurtful..

At times when I eat out I often forget to check whether it's pork or with shrimp until it's being served at my table.. And I'm famished.. So what happens is, i just brushed aside the shrimps or sometimes not asked whether this is pork.. Only later in justice to my sense of suspicion, I inquire and if finding out it's pork then the same incident never happens anymore.. I don't feel the need to excessively punish myself, but i pray that God help me with my (unintended) shortcomings..

[Gail]

Isn't there a place in Scripture, in the Gospels, that tells us that when we are a guest to eat what is set before us? I don't have my Bible here with me at the moment...

[JoeMo]

6 hours ago, Gail said:

Isn't there a place in Scripture, in the Gospels, that tells us that when we are a guest to eat what is set before us? I don't have my Bible here with me at the moment...

Gail,

This might be one verse that you were thinking of ...

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.¹⁴ I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. ¹⁵ If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died." (Rom. 14:13-15)

Being practical, I would guess missionaries who are trying to establish initial relationships with primitive people in remote areas initially will eat whatever is offered to them as a gift or as hospitality (within reason).  I imagine they even eat stuff that they don't know what it is.  To turn down a gift or hospitality in an initial visit would be a serious insult and an impediment to establishing a positive relationship.  In many primitive cultures, guests are offered the "best" the hosts have.  I'm sure they pray over whatever it is first.

I have heard stories about the gastrointestinal consequences of some of those meals from missionary friends.

[Gail]

I found it in Luke 10:8. I am currently reading through the HCSB:

Quote

When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you.

This is in a missionary context.

[Aliensanctuary]

I have had a strong tendency to be forgetful of things that people say, ever since I can remember...

A few years ago I had my hearing tested thinking that I might be going deaf, but the test results showed above average hearing for my age. I have been advised that it is more about paying attention to what people are saying than anything else. Sometimes I feel like I'm in an oblivious fog, having to ask my wife to repeat what she has just said or said at an earlier point in time. If it doesn't involve speech and names, I do pretty good, but do need lists of places to go when in town shopping.

Our brains do shrink as we age, so I suppose our memories are even less efficient than when younger. I don't think forgetfulness is so much of a sin as it is an attention deficit problem or distraction. If our forgetfulness causes harm to others, we might try to find a remedy, such as creating reminders of times and events. 

I suspect that our First Parents had photographic memories, something that we, too, may possess in the next life.

[debbym]

there is neglect to put one in mind of those things that are essential, like coming to God each morning to put one in mind of the great sacrifice and love of God for every person.  Relational issues of memory are not the same as dropping a piece of static data.  forgetting to fulfil one's moral obligations... like forgetting you are married when you take up an affair in the office, or forgetting to pay your bills, and buying some gorgeous dress... this is forgetting of another order.

relational issues of memory reveal priorities and morals....

If "forgetting is sin" with no other context, alzheimer's patients would be great sinners...

we have all heard stories of a mother forgetting her child in the car seat and going into the store, then there is the one of the dad who forgot the baby in the car seat when he went to work, forgot to drop off the little one at the sitter....  we are human.... and we fail... in every area of sin.  And we have an advocate with the Father.