As followers of Christ, we are called to move forward in faith, leaving behind the past and pressing on toward the future that God has planned for us. The Bible warns against looking back in a way that hinders our spiritual growth and trust in God’s promises. These Bible verses remind us to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust Him for the journey ahead.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Not Looking Back
Remember Lot’s Wife
One of the most famous warnings about looking back comes from the story of Lot’s wife. When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He commanded Lot and his family to flee without looking back. However, Lot’s wife turned around and was turned into a pillar of salt. This serves as a solemn warning against clinging to the past when God calls us forward.
Luke 17:32
“Remember what happened to Lot’s wife!”
Genesis 19:26
“But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.”
Philippians 3:13-14
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Hebrews 10:38-39
“And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away. But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.”
Proverbs 4:25
“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.”
Pressing On Toward the Goal
God calls us to keep moving forward in faith, trusting Him for our future. Dwelling on the past can prevent us from experiencing the new blessings and growth that He has in store. Paul encourages believers to let go of what is behind and focus on what lies ahead.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Philippians 3:12
“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Luke 9:62
“But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.'”
Colossians 3:2
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Trusting God’s Plan
When we look back with regret or longing, we may doubt God’s perfect plan for our future. However, He reminds us through His Word that His ways are higher than our ways, and His plans for us are good.
Jeremiah 29:11
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Psalm 37:23-24
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'”
Forgetting the Past
The Bible teaches us to let go of the past so that we can fully embrace the new life that God has given us. Dwelling on past failures, mistakes, or even past successes can prevent us from stepping into what God has planned for us.
Isaiah 43:25
“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”
Micah 7:18-19
“Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
Psalm 103:12
“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”
Romans 6:6
“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Pushing Forward
Moving Forward in Faith
Faith requires us to move forward, trusting in God’s promises even when we don’t fully understand His plan. When we focus on Him rather than our past, we can walk in confidence and obedience.
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Joshua 1:9
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 23:3
“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Exodus 14:15
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!'”
Leaving Sin Behind
Looking back can sometimes mean returning to old habits or sinful ways. The Bible calls us to leave behind our old selves and live in the righteousness of Christ, not turning back to sin.
Galatians 5:1
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Ephesians 4:22-24
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
1 John 1:9
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
John 8:11
“‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more.'”
Setting Our Eyes on Eternity
Our true home is in heaven, and God calls us to set our minds on things above. Looking back at earthly things can distract us from the eternal prize that awaits those who follow Christ.
Colossians 3:1-3
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
John 14:2-3
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”