Repentance is a word we like when it isn’t talking about us. It literally means to change direction or to make an about face. It involves us admitting we’re wrong, being sorry for it and then changing our ways. People don’t like to admit their wrong or change. They tend to change when they hurt enough they have to, learn enough they want to or they’re loved enough that they’re empowered to. We have been loved with an everlasting love by a holy God who encourages us, His people, to humble ourselves, repent and turn from our ways. Repentance isn’t just for the lost. It’s a practice we as believers must incorporate into our lives and practice as well.
Here are some Bible verses on repentance.
1. Fools mock the need for repentance, while the favor of God rests upon all his lovers.
Proverbs 14:9 TPT
2. Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Romans 2:4 ESV
3. You must prove your repentance by a changed life.
Matthew 3:8 TPT
4. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT
5. “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me [without your repentance]?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of [your] burnt offerings of rams And the fat of well-fed cattle [without your obedience]; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls or lambs or goats [offered without repentance].”
Isaiah 1:11 AMP
Photo by Jim Wilson on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 
Your reasons people finally change (repent) are comprehensive, Chris. We change when it hurts enough, we learn enough, or we are loved enough. It’s also great that you mention repentance is not a “once and done “ type of thing.
Thanks. So many believers think it’s a one time event. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their ways (repent)…” Even those of us called by His name need to do it and do it often. Thanks!
Tag, you’re it 😉