What does it mean to REPENT?

There is a lot of argument about what the word REPENT or REPENTANCE means. Does it mean merely to change your mind? Well in this hopefully short blog I will settle this argument once and for all. Most Christians on Facebook are certified Greek experts and often point to the Greek meaning of the word REPENTANCE. So lets look at that definition first.

The Greek term for REPENTANCE, METANOIA, denotes a CHANGE of MIND, a reorientation, a fundamental transformation of outlook, of man’s vision of the world and of himself, and a new way of loving others and God.

Even if the only meaning of REPENT is to CHANGE YOUR MIND? It would still require an action on your part to be a true change of mind. You can not change your mind without changing your actions. Example: say you change your mind about abortion from thinking it is a women’s choice to thinking it is murdering an unborn child. This will drastically change your actions when you go to the ballot box to vote because if you really changed your mind? You will not vote for the candidate in favor of abortion.

Still think to REPENT OR REPENTANCE means just to change your mind? Lets look at the Hebrew word and definition of REPENT or REPENTANCE.

What is the biblical Hebrew word for REPENT?
The Hebrew word we translate as ‘REPENTANCE’ is TESHUVA (‎תשובה, pronounced “teh-shoo-vah”). And TESHUVA is a lot more than a feeling of guilt or regret. In fact, it derives from the verb ‘TO RETURN’

You have to interpret the word REPENT or REPENTANCE in its proper context depending on what passage you are reading? In the old testament when it says God REPENTED it obviously does not mean God turned away from his sin but merely changed his mind. When Israel came under captivity because of their sins of disobedience, they were not set free just because they changed their mind. God required them to turn away from their sins or to RETURN TO GOD (TESHUVA). you can not return to God without turning away from your sins. Lets look at some examples from scriptures of turning away from your sins.

Mark 1:14-15 KJV
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.               

Its obvious Jesus is not saying change your mind when he says REPENT here because believing the gospel already requires a change of mind.

Hebrews 6:1 KJV
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of REPENTANCE from dead works, and of faith toward God,                      

That verse could be translated turning away from dead works and faith towards God as faith already takes a change of mind. God will not ask us to change our mind twice so REPENTANCE here definitely means to turn away from sin.

One argument I have heard against biblical REPENTANCE is that people who claim it is lordship salvation based upon works and not of grace as stated in Ephesians 2:8,9. But first of all REPENTANCE is not a work but a change of mind and actions. This does not affect grace because God is the one who gives us the grace to REPENT. We can not walk this salvation walk on our own as God is our partner in the sanctification process and then he is faithful to complete it. But that is a conversation for another time.

In my final point I will be a bit controversial depending on whether you believe you can lose your salvation or not? The final question you should have is, how often do I REPENT? Some people believe it is once at your decision to trust Christ for salvation, I will lay out why I think that is not true. The bible says that if we confess our sins he is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). But what happens if we don’t confess our sins? Its obvious that God will do the very opposite and not forgive us our sins or cleanse us from unrighteousness. This means if we don’t confess and turn away from our sins we are hypocrites and hell bound hypocrites at that. So we should REPENT as often as we sin. If you are still holding to God’s grace to bail you out then look what it says here in Romans chapter 6 in closing.

Romans 6:1-2 KJVS
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] GOD FORBID!. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Exclamation added).