What Is Repentance? What It Means to Turn to God — and What It Doesn't
Jesus' first public word was "Repent." It isn't self-punishment or a one-time apology. Here is what Scripture means by repentance, how it differs from regret, and why it leads to joy
The short answer
In the Bible, repentance means turning from sin to God — a change of mind, heart and direction. The New Testament word metanoia literally means "a change of mind." Jesus began His ministry saying, "Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). Repentance is more than regret: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Corinthians 7:10). It is prompted by God's kindness (Romans 2:4), shows itself in a changed life (Luke 3:8), and leads to forgiveness (Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9).
When Jesus began preaching, His first recorded message was short: "The time has come… The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). Repentance is half of how anyone responds to the gospel. So what is it?
What the Word Means
The New Testament word translated "repent," metanoia, literally means a change of mind. The Old Testament idea is turning — turning back, returning. Put together, repentance is a change of mind that becomes a change of direction: turning away from sin and toward God.
"Repentance is turning — a change of mind and direction from sin to God. It's different from regret, it doesn't earn forgiveness, it's prompted by God's kindness, and Scripture says it leads to forgiveness and joy."
Click to copy and sharePeter put it this way: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
Repentance Is Not Just Regret
Everyone regrets things. Repentance is different. Paul draws the line clearly: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Corinthians 7:10).
- Worldly sorrow is sorry about consequences — getting caught, losing something, looking bad. It turns inward.
- Godly sorrow is sorry about the sin itself, because it wrongs God and others. It turns toward God.
Judas regretted betraying Jesus; Peter, who denied Him, repented and was restored (Matthew 27:3–5; John 21:15–19). The difference was which way each turned.
Repentance Is Not Earning Forgiveness
Repentance isn't paying for sin or proving you're sorry enough. Forgiveness is a gift — "by grace you have been saved, through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). Repentance is simply turning to receive it. And it's God who draws us: "God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance" (Romans 2:4).
What Repentance Looks Like
Jesus' parable of the lost son is the Bible's clearest picture (Luke 15:11–24):
- He came to his senses — he saw his life honestly.
- He decided to go back — a change of direction, not just a feeling.
- He confessed — "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you."
- He was welcomed — the father ran to him before he finished his speech.
In everyday life, that usually means:
- Being honest with God about specific sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
- Changing direction — John the Baptist called it producing "fruit in keeping with repentance" (Luke 3:8).
- Making things right where you can, as Zacchaeus did (Luke 19:8).
Once, or Every Day?
Both. There's a decisive turning at the start of the Christian life — part of being born again. And there's an ongoing habit of turning back whenever we wander, which is why Jesus taught His followers to pray "forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12). Repentance isn't a sign of failure in a Christian's life; it's a sign of life.
It Leads to Joy
Repentance sounds grim, but Scripture describes it as the doorway to joy. "There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:7). God is "patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
David's prayer after his worst failure is a good place to start: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).
Repentance is turning — a change of mind and direction from sin to God. It's different from regret, it doesn't earn forgiveness, it's prompted by God's kindness, and Scripture says it leads to forgiveness and joy.
Biblical Perspective
Jesus began His preaching with "Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). Peter promised that those who "repent… and turn to God" would have their sins wiped out (Acts 3:19), Paul distinguished godly sorrow from worldly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10), and Jesus said heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7).
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
— Acts 3:19 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Father, thank You for Your kindness that leads me to repentance. I've sinned against You. I turn from my sin and back to You. Forgive me, cleanse me and create in me a pure heart. Help me walk in a new direction, and keep me turning back to You every day. In Jesus' name, amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›God's kindness leads me to repentance!
- ›When I confess, He is faithful to forgive!
- ›Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents!
Take Action
- 1Read Luke 15:11–24 slowly today.
- 2Pray Psalm 51:10 honestly about one specific area of your life.
- 3If you owe someone an apology, make it this week.
"What is repentance? Not self-punishment or mere regret — a turning to God that leads to forgiveness and joy."
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"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
What does repentance mean in the Bible?
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Repentance means turning from sin to God — a change of mind, heart and direction. The New Testament word metanoia means "a change of mind," and Peter described it as to "repent… and turn to God" (Acts 3:19).
What is the difference between repentance and regret?
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Regret is sorrow about consequences; repentance is turning to God because sin wrongs Him and others. Paul wrote that "godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Do you have to repent to be saved?
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Jesus called people to "repent and believe the good news" (Mark 1:15). In the New Testament, repentance and faith go together as the response to the gospel; forgiveness itself remains a gift of grace, not something repentance earns (Ephesians 2:8).
How do you repent?
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Be honest with God about your sin, confess it to Him (1 John 1:9), turn from it in a new direction (Luke 3:8), make things right where you can, and trust His forgiveness. The parable of the lost son in Luke 15 is the Bible's clearest picture.
Do Christians need to keep repenting?
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Yes. There's a decisive turning at the start of the Christian life, and an ongoing habit of turning back to God whenever we sin — which is why Jesus taught His followers to pray "forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12).
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
Acts 3:19 (NIV)
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