The Power of Repentance

“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

How often do you find yourself in a humble posture before the Lord asking Him to graciously forgive you of the sin you have committed? If your answer is not AT LEAST daily, you are cheating yourself of the goodness of the gift of repentance.

I have a first-hand testimony to the power of repenting often. When I was younger, I would go years without repenting of my sins before God. I did not know this then, but my lack of repentance was creating a storm of lies in my head and welling up a great deal of sin in my heart. When I began to understand the power of asking for forgiveness the moment that sin was recognized in my heart, my life completely turned around. No longer was I plagued by guilt and shame, but I was able to start walking freely and confidently in right relationship with God.

“Repentance is not just regret. It means following through on that conviction and turning around–changing your mind and your heart so that you are no longer at odds with God but in sync with God. That is repentance: turning from darkness to light and from Satan to God. It is a reversal of the direction of your life–toward God.”

John Piper

Repentance is a gift. God did not have to grant us freedom past the moment of Christ dying for us, yet He chose to offer us daily freedom in our mindsets. When we repent of our sins and keep a “short list” with God, our vision becomes clearer, and it becomes easier to fight off temptation.

The Lord knows the struggles of our hearts, and He deeply empathizes with our human struggle to fight temptation. Repentance is for us to be kept in right relationship with God. When Christ died on the cross, the gift of salvation was granted to all. When you choose to accept that gift, you are completely forgiven of all your sins: past, present, and future. Just as we ask for forgiveness when we wrong a loved one, we should ask Christ for forgiveness in the same way. This is not so that we will continue to receive salvation, because that is already eternally ours, but so that we can walk in freedom and newness of life while we live on this earth. Repentance sets our hearts and minds on Christ and His desires for our lives.

Choosing to not forgive others or yourself creates deep-rooted bitterness. This bitterness will prohibit you from experiencing the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life the Lord has called you to. When you have unforgiveness manifesting in your heart, it is not uncommon to feel like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. This is because your choice to harbor unforgiveness goes against the Lord’s perfect design. Matthew 6:14-15 states, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” You are sinning against the offender, yourself, and God by harboring unforgiveness in your heart.

Christ is the only one who can deliver you from sin. When you do not care about the influence of sin in your life, you diminish the power of the Gospel and essentially tell Christ He is not the most important thing in your life. Instead, you indulge in selfish desires that wreak havoc and continue to grow through an unrepentant spirit.

Here are a few things I suggest you to check on daily. Write out a list for yourself, and if you find yourself giving into one of these areas throughout the day, repent.

IDOLATRY … Exodus 20:3-6; 1 Cor. 10:13-14; Col. 3:5

COMPARISON … 2 Corinthians 10:12

JUDEMENTS … Matthew 7:1

AGREEING WITH LIES … Psalm 109:2-4; Jer. 7:8; Col. 2:8

LUST … 1 John 2:16; James 1:14-15; Romans 13:14

GLUTTONY -Philippians 3:18-22; Romans 14:15b

PRIDE … Proverbs 11:2; Romans 12:3

WRONGFUL HATRED (both of self, others, and maybe even God) … 1 John 4:20; Proverbs 8:13

ENVY … Proverbs 14:30

ANGER … James 1:20; Ephesians 4:31

GREED … 1 Tim. 6:10

SLOTHFULNESS … Prov. 13:4; Col. 3:23

FEAR OF MAN … Matt. 10:28; Galatians 1:10; Psalm 118:6

After receiving forgiveness, it is important to thank the Lord and recognize that only He is capable of giving you this gift of freedom. Then, you MUST cover these areas with truth. Here is an example of what it can generally look like to repent from agreeing with lies and turning to agree with truth. “Lord, please forgive me for agreeing with the lie that I am not good enough. I trust You when You say I am enough just as You have created me. When you look at me, You call me worthy of goodness. I come into agreement with the truth that in Jesus’ Name, I am good enough.”

Being intentional in prayer is one of the most powerful Spiritual disciplines you will partake in. The Lord wants to know your heart intimately. Do not let an unrepentant heart get in the way of the most beautiful and fulfilling relationship you will ever have. Holding onto sin, no matter how enticing the sin may be, will always lead to destruction.

Let the Lord rebuild your ruins.

You can start right now.

“Lord, will you please forgive me of….