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Practical Steps for Repentance and Turning Away from Sin

Repentance involves a fundamental change of mind and purpose, leading to a transformation of life, to which the remission of sin is promised [5]. This change is not merely regret or remorse, but a turning away from sin and toward God [5, 1]. The biblical concept of repentance is often linked with conversion, which is a turning to God that follows repentance [7].

Practical steps for repentance and turning away from sin are outlined throughout scripture and theological tradition:

1. Acknowledge and Confess Sin: The first step in repentance is recognizing one's sinfulness. The Bible teaches that all human beings are born sinners [10], and sin is defined as any sinful act [11], a departure from the simplicity of the gospel, or a turning from God [4]. Sin can be a deliberate act of rebellion [13] or a failure to live righteously [12]. God requires and regards the confession of sin [9]. This confession should be full and unreserved [9], acknowledging both actual sins committed and the corrupt nature that still adheres to individuals even after conversion [14]. Promises of pardon are given to those who confess their sins [9].

2. Cultivate Godly Sorrow and Self-Abasement: True repentance is accompanied by godly sorrow [9]. This sorrow is not merely regret, but a deep grief over offending God. It leads to self-abasement [9], recognizing one's unworthiness before a holy God. The prophet Jeremiah describes repentance as a result of being "turned" by God, leading to mourning [16].

3. Forsake Sin and Turn to God: Repentance involves actively turning away from sin and ordering one's life according to God's will [3, 1]. This means not doing the same sins again [15]. Isaiah 55:7 exhorts the wicked to "change... turn to the Lord," emphasizing that true conversion demands a change in how one lives in favor of God's requirements [17]. This turning is not a human initiative alone; repentance is given by God and is a result of the operation of the Holy Spirit [6]. Christ himself came to call sinners to repentance [6].

4. Practice Self-Denial: Turning away from sin often requires self-denial, which is a test of devotion to Christ [8]. This involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, abstaining from fleshly lusts, and mortifying sinful desires [8]. Christ set an example of self-denial, and it is necessary for following Him and for the spiritual warfare of believers [8].

5. Seek Forgiveness and Make Restitution: Confession of sin should be accompanied by prayer for forgiveness [9]. God's compassion reaches out to the needy, and He will forgive generously [17]. In some cases, repentance also involves making restitution for wrongs committed [9].

6. Persevere and Do "First Works": The book of Revelation exhorts believers who have fallen to "remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works" [2]. This implies a continuous process of repentance and a return to initial devotion and righteous actions. Backsliding, or turning from God, is a serious matter that displeases God and brings its own punishment [4]. Exhortations are given to return from backsliding [4].

Repentance is a gift from God, given by His long-suffering and goodness, and it is commanded to all by God and Christ [6]. It is a necessary step towards salvation [6].

Sources

  1. Acts “Acts 3:19 (BSB) — Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,”
  2. Revelation “Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent. -- Revelation 2:5”
  3. Sirach “Sirach 38:10 (DRC) — Turn away from sin and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all offence.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Backsliding — Is turning from God -- 1Ki 11:9. Is leaving the first love -- Re 2:4. Is departing form the simplicity of the gospel -- 2Co 11:3; Ga 3:1-3; 5:4,7. God is displeased at -- Ps 78:57,59. Warnings against -- Ps 85:8; 1Co 10:12. Guilt and consequences of -- Nu 14:43; Ps 125:5; Isa 59:2,9-11; Jer 5:6; 8:5,13; 15:6; Lu 9:62. Brings its own punishment -- Pr 14:14; Jer 2:19. A haughty spirit leads to -- Pr 16:18. Proneness to -- Pr 24:16; Ho 11:7. Liable to continue and increase -- Jer 8:5; 14:7. Exhortations to return from -- 2Ch 30:6; Isa 31:6; Jer 3:12,14,22;”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Repentance — What it is -- Isa 45:22; Mt 6:19-21; Ac 14:15; 2Co 5:17; Col 3:2; 1Th 1:9; Heb 12:1,2. Commanded to all by God -- Eze 18:30-32; Ac 17:30. Commanded by Christ -- Re 2:5,16; 3:3. Given by God -- Ac 11:18; 2Ti 2:25. Christ came to call sinners to -- Mt 9:13. Christ exalted to give -- Ac 5:31. By the operation of the Holy Spirit -- Zec 12:10. Called repentance to life -- Ac 11:18. Called repentance to salvation -- 2Co 7:10. We should be led to, by The long-suffering of God. -- Ge 6:3; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:9. The goodness of God. -- Ro 2:4. The chastisements of Go”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conversion — By God -- 1Ki 18:37; Joh 6:44; Ac 21:19. By Christ -- Ac 3:26; Ro 15:18. By the power of the Holy Spirit -- Pr 1:23. Is of grace -- Ac 11:21,23. Follows repentance -- Ac 3:19; 26:20. Is the result of faith -- Ac 11:21. Through the instrumentality of The scriptures. -- Ps 19:7. Ministers. -- Ac 26:18; 1Th 1:9. Self-examination. -- Ps 119:59; La 3:40. Affliction. -- Ps 78:34. Of sinners, a cause of joy To God. -- Eze 18:23; Lu 15:32. To saints. -- Ac 15:3; Ga 1:23,24. Is necessary -- Mt 18:3. Commanded -- Job 36:10. Exhortations to -- Pr 1:23; Isa 31:6; 55”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confession of Sin — God requires -- Le 5:5; Ho 5:15. God regards -- Job 33:27,28; Da 9:20-23. Exhortation to -- Jos 7:19; Jer 3:13; Jas 5:16. Promises to -- Le 26:40-42; Pr 28:13. Should be accompanied with Submission to punishment. -- Le 26:41; Ne 9:33; Ezr 9:13. Prayer for forgiveness. -- 2Sa 24:10; Ps 25:11; 51:1; Jer 14:7-9,20. Self-abasement. -- Isa 64:5,6; Jer 3:25. Godly sorrow. -- Ps 38:18; La 1:20. Forsaking sin. -- Pr 28:13. Restitution. -- Nu 5:6,7. Should be full and unreserved -- Ps 32:5; 51:3; 106:6. Followed by pardon -- Ps 32:5; 1Jo 1:9. Illustrated -”
  10. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  11. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
  12. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  14. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  15. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: to good men, no protection to the wicked, ib. ; earthly, useless without the spiritual, 89 . Repentance, its efficacy to procure pardon, 50 ; to avert judgment, 121 ; is the not doing the same again, ib. ; great difficulty of, 260 ; a source of hope, 295 . Repetitions, vain, consist in praying for vain things, 157 . Reproach, to be borne patiently, after the example of Christ, 312 ; injures only the author, ib. Reserve, in teaching doctrine, 13 , 93 ; of John Baptist, 105 ; and Paul, ib. Resurrection, the, implied in Christ, "The Life," 22 ; of Chri”
  16. Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 31:19: after that I was turned, I repented--Repentance in the full sense follows, not precedes, our being turned to God by God (Zac 12:10). The Jews' "looking to Him whom they pierced" shall result in their "mourning for Him." Repentance is the tear that flows from the eye of faith turned to Jesus. He Himself gives it: we give it not of ourselves, but must come to Him for it (Act 5:31). instructed--made to learn by chastisement. God's Spirit often works through the corrections of His providence. smote upon . . . thigh-- (Eze 21:12). A token of indignan”
  17. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 55:7: 55:7 Let the wicked change . . . turn to the Lord: True conversion demands a change of how we live in favor of God’s requirements (see 1:16-17; 30:15; 59:20). • have mercy on them: God’s compassion reaches out to the needy and finds them where they are. • he will forgive generously: Forgiveness of sin is foundational to the good news of redemption (see Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; see also Pss 32:1; 86:5; 99:8; 103:2-5).”
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