How do I repent genuinely? (2023)

How do I repent genuinely?

Repentance is more than a feeling of regret or a few words of apology. Genuine repentance is a daily, hourly, moment-by-moment decision to change in heart, mind, and behavior when the Spirit prompts.

You cannot repent or be forgiven if you don't feel sorry about what you have done. You have to know what you did, pray about it, and ask forgiveness from the Lord. Then go to the person you have hurt and ask forgiveness.

This is absolutely right; repentance involves both turning away from sin and turning back to the Father. However, the illustration fails to provide the posture of our heart as we come back to God. This is no incidental point, but gets to the very core of what true repentance is all about.

There are two things to remember here: (1) God's mercy is indeed infinite, and (2) true repentance means forsaking your sins. On the one hand, because of the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ, repentance is available to everyone, even those who have made the same mistakes many times.

False repentance is characterized by a continual longing for the “old life.” Although a person may have made certain external changes in their life, their heart is continually drawn back to the sins they miss. Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God”(Lk. 9:62).

It was genuine repentance, which by definition is "a complete change of mind that results in a complete change of life." You see, the forsaking of sin is the proof of the reality of repentance, and the confession of sin is the reality of genuine repentance. The prodigal acknowledged his sin.

Put simply, our salvation depends solely on the person and work of Jesus Christ. As we continue to trust in him, we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives to make us more like Jesus. When we see this happening, our assurance that we truly are one of God's children grows.

When asked those questions, I usually responded by saying, “If you feel the Spirit—when you pray, read the scriptures, teach, testify, or at any other time—then that is your witness that you have been forgiven or, alternatively, that the cleansing process is taking place, for the Spirit cannot dwell in an unholy ...

What are the 5 steps of repentance?

You can confess your sins directly to God. You do not need to confess to a pastor, priest, or spiritual leader to be forgiven.