a) Sorrow for Sin

Repentance is not merely feeling sorrow for sin. One can feel grief over their sins and even weep bitterly without truly repenting. Thus, the remorse felt during an event is not repentance.
(Judas Iscariot hanged himself out of remorse.)

b) Feelings of Guilt

Feeling guilty after committing a sin is not repentance.

“As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘For now, go away; when I find a convenient time, I will call for you.’“ (Acts 24:25)

One can feel guilty and sorrowful or not, without repenting or seeking to follow the full steps of repentance for complete salvation. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul says:

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, never to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.“

A total lack of repentance leads only to death.

“Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, ‘This time I have sinned. The Lord is righteous, and I and my people are guilty. Pray to the Lord, for there has been enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you will stay no longer.’“ (Exodus 9:27-28)

In this verse, Pharaoh acknowledges his guilt, but later events show that he was not yet ready to let the Israelites go. He spoke this way only because of the punishment he was enduring. In the end, he perished.

c) Other Cases

• Trying to appear righteous is not repentance.

“You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, those who remember You in Your ways. Behold, You were angry, for we sinned; we continued in them a long time, and shall we be saved? We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.“ (Isaiah 64:4-5)

• Being religious in conduct and actions does not necessarily mean true repentance.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.’“ (Matthew 3:7-8)

• Having intellectual knowledge of God’s Word does not necessarily mean a living reality in the heart. Mental knowledge alone is not repentance.

“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, according to what the Scripture says.” (Romans 10:10)

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?“ (James 2:19-20)

In other words, “Repentance is the change of mindset that brings about a change in behavior.” Here are some biblical passages illustrating true repentance:

Example No. 1: The Story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17-21)

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”‘
And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.‘”

Example No. 2: Peter’s Case (Matthew 26:75)

“And Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ So he went out and wept bitterly.“

Peter’s actions later in Christ’s ministry demonstrate his true repentance.

This text is an excerpt from the book “BE ROOTED TO BEAR FRUIT” written by Isaïe BANKOLE.

We invite you to read the next article: “THE STEPS AFTER THE NEW BIRTH“.