The Concordance states that repentance is "compensation for guilt, including reformation." It refers to a person's change of mind, as it shows that he or she has put something good into action. An informal definition of the word "repent" refers to a person's desire to turn away from past opinions and behaviors.
Repentance goes beyond merely saying "I'm sorry" for something. It can transform a person's attitude and behavior. When Christians confess their sins, the Holy Spirit brings forth guilt or "godly sorrow" for their actions. Christians are driven by their desire to be pleasing to God. Below are all important points to consider when thinking about how to show repentance, which includes sorrow, confession, turn, and holiness.
Sorrow
In order to truly repent, a person must first experience "God's sorrow," which is experiencing grief over their sin. This is the first step in turning away from their past behavior and toward God. According to 2 Corinthians 7, our sin must become a burden that we no longer desire to carry, and it must be seen as a foul odor in God's nostrils.
Confess
After experiencing "God's sorrow," a person must first confess their sins to God. This is done so that they can receive forgiveness and be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Another way to do this is to ask a spiritual advisor or friend to help them with their issues.
Turn
Repentance is when we experience "God's sorrow" and confess our sins to God. This process is turning our backs on what we've done that isn't pleasing to God. Repentance is also about choosing God's way instead of our own. If you have been carrying out activities that aren't pleasing to God, then you can immediately start to repent.
Holiness
The last step in becoming righteous is to choose holiness daily. Repentance doesn't mean that the temptation to sin will not occur in our lives. Instead, it requires us to choose righteousness and holiness daily. It is essential to be aware of all actions throughout each day and actively focus on showing repentance.
