How to Repent According to the Bible

Last Updated: February 26, 2023 References Approved

Throughout the Bible people were told to repent. Today we are told that God "now commandeth all men (people) every where to repent^{[1]
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Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.^{[2]
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Repentance (metanoeo in the Greek) leads to metamorphosis. The grub's decision to build a cocoon leads to the new miraculous creation of a butterfly. For people it's just the same: the miraculous end result of repentance is becoming a new creation (2Corinthians5:17^{[3]
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Steps

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Listen to the preachers: The first recorded words spoken by John the Baptist (^{[4]
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Find the meaning: Repent in the New Testament always means to change your mind in the original Greek, never to merely feel sorry which is a modern non Biblical meaning. Click for original meaning.

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Change: Repenting involves turning away from the old and toward the new. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Jesus). (^{[9]
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Repenting leads to belief: Jesus said "repent ye, and believe the gospel." ^{[10]
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Recognise that you've fallen short: Whether you're young or old or been a "good" person or a "bad" person, understand that no one matches up to the Glory of God. Like Job (in the Old Testament) we've missed the mark and need to recognise our shortcomings. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (^{[11]
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Godly Sorrow: Sorrow can lead to repentance (Deciding to do things God's way) or it can lead to disappointment. (^{[12]
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Be humble: Repenting will involve admitting you are wrong about things concerning God. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (^{[13]
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Don't be passive: Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (^{[14]
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Expect to be rewarded: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (^{[16]
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Prepare to be baptised: Baptism is an outward sign that a person is prepared to listen to God's word and do it. Then they that gladly received (were repentant) his word were baptized (^{[17]
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Ask and Seek and Knock: This is God's will. As we repent to what Jesus wants we do as He says. Particularly concerning asking for the Holy Spirit And I (Jesus) say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:9-13^{[19]
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Don't stop seeking God until your repentance has been accepted: The disciples knew that God had granted repentance to Cornelius and his family and friends when they heard them speaking in tongues like they (Peter and his friends) had at the beginning (Acts 11:15-18^{[20]
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Keep following Jesus teachings and doings: Once your repentance has been accepted by God then stay humble and do what Jesus said to do which is to love one another (John 13:34-35)^{[22]
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Community Q&A

Question

How can I repent when I've sinned a lot?

Community Answer

Repent means to "change your mind about" or "to turn away from." If you make a decision to turn away from your sins, that means you are walking away all of your sins, no matter how many of them there may be.
Question

If I keep doing the same sins then repenting, is that OK?

Community Answer

No. You need to see the non-holy thought patterns. Think about doing good deeds, admit to your sins, and try not do them again. Understand that habits don't change right away; keep striving, and be hopeful, righteous and faithful.
Question

What If I want to repent, but I'm scared to even pray to Him? How do I know He will forgive me?

Community Answer

Fearing God is a good thing, but you have to know that God is both love and holy (Deuteronomy 7:9-10). You know He will forgive you when you genuinely repent through the Word of God (1 John 1:9 & Hebrews 4:14-16). It is up to you to believe His Words that He has written to you.

Warnings

Repentance is not an option. Jesus said "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3^{[36]
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If you believe you've repented but have no need to be baptised with the Holy Spirit, that is not repentance that is also arguing with God's plan.(John 3:5^{[37]
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Not everyone who says that they are a Christian has repented, so trust in God not people. (Jeremiah 17:5-11^{[43]
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If you believe you've repented but believe you have no need to be baptised in water, that is not repentance that is arguing with God's plan. Repenting is agreeing with God's plan (Luke7:29-30^{[44]
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