What is true repentance?

[Guest Called]

As Christians we talk alot about repenting of our sins. I want to pose a question. What is true repentance?

The definition of repentance is:

To be sorry, change heart and behavior; a moral U-turn from sin to God.

First I think we need to look at the effects of our sin:

1. Guilt- It is not a feeling, it is a spiritual law. Romans 3:23 says, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

2. Guilty feelings- This is what people feel about their sin. Remorse is not repentance.

3. Shame- This is what others think about our sin.

Repenting is sinning no more. It is an understanding that we are guilty before God. Crying is not repentance. Feeling bad is not repentance. It has nothing to do with feelings.

We will never break the cycle of sins in our life until we learn to HATE sin. Alot of people love their sin, but they hate the guilt. Until they learn to hate their sin, they will be burdened down with it and will not gain victory.

This is what the Sovereign LORD , the Holy One of Israel, says:

"In repentance and rest is your salvation,

in quietness and trust is your strength,

but you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15

It is time for the church to quit wavering in their sins. It is time for the church to quit crying about it and just repent and move on with the things of God. It is time for the church to produce fruit and win the world for Christ.

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:8

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." Luke 3:7-9

Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:13-15

So what do you guys think true repentance is?

[Jedi4Yahweh]

I think a better question would be to ask: "What is False Repentance?".

[WayneB]

The answers to BOTH questions is found in MOTIVE.

[Orr v'emet]

I think that true repentance is recognizing your sin, asking for forgiveness with a sincere heart and with an attitude for change. When you repent, you stop what your doing and go in the opposite direction, away from the sin. It means you take yourself out of situations where you know you will be tempted in that sin. Personal story. I struggled at work with gossip and complaining. I asked God to forgive me daily for these sins but I kept going back to the place where I knew I would fall into temptation. I stopped hanging around my friends at work that I complained with the most and I have essentially cut off ties with them. I no longer have the daily temptations to do these sins. I removed myself. I am alot more lonely at work but my relationship with God is more important than my feelings.

What is false repentance? Saying your sorry when you have no intentions to stop the behavior. It usually means as Deb said that you like the sin, just not the guilty feelings or shame.

[Botz]

I thought Called wrote well concerning true Repentance..

True repentance always involves loning your heart up with the word of G-d.

False repentance often looks similar with tears and words...but no fruit!

Often it happens because a person has been caught doing something wrong and their sorrow is one of self-pity and an earthly grief not a G-dly sorrow.

2Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

[Botz]

...er...lining your heart up ...even! Bit dim in my computer corner.

[Kabowd]

Repentance is not only turning from sin, but also turning to God. The act is not complete if the former is done without the latter. Notice in James 4:7,8 we are encouraged to resist the enemy, but are also told to draw near to God.

[WayneB]

I thought Called wrote well concerning true Repentance..

True repentance always involves loning your heart up with the word of G-d.

False repentance often looks similar with tears and words...but no fruit!

Often it happens because a person has been caught doing something wrong and their sorrow is one of self-pity and an earthly grief not a G-dly sorrow.

2Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Just the Scripture I was thinking of brother!

[WayneB]

Saints,

For me, the best example of TRUE repentance is found in Scripture, specifically in how King David responded to his rebuke by Nathan. David sinned against God and man and Nathan brought it to his attention. King David could have easily struck Nathan down or at the very least ignored his rebuke. BUT he didn

[ted]

True repentance would be Bob asking forgiveness for his injustices and coming to the Blue!

(Sorry, I couldn't resist)

t.