The Key to Salvation & Victorious Living
7 STEPS OF REAL REPENTANCE - THAT WE FIND IN THE SCRIPTURES
The Bible teaches that faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ cannot save a person unless it is also accompanied by repentance.
“God now commands all men everywhere to repent” Acts 17:30
“Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’" Mark 1:1-
After salvation, repentance still plays a vital role in a believer’s life because, until we are perfected in heaven because we will continue to struggle with problem of sin.
“godly sorrow works repentance not to be repented of…2 Cor. 7:8-11a
STEP # 1: Admit to yourself that you have sinned “I have sinned” 2 Samuel 12:13
STEP # 2: Confess to God Himself that you have sinned. “Against You (God), You only, have I sinned” Psalm 51:1-4
STEP # 3: Confess to God that you were born with a bad root of sin inside of you.
“Behold I was brought forth in iniquity andin sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalm 51:5
See also Romans 7:18-19 and Romans 7:23-25
STEP # 4: Turn away from the specific sin that you have committed, and also, away from any other sin that the Holy Spirit identifies in your life.
“Behold You desire truth in the innermost being…” Psalm 51:6
See also 2 Cor. 7:11 for the changes that the believers in Corinth went through in their repentance.
STEP # 5: Build up your resistance against falling into sin in the future.
“Your word have I treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me your statutes.” Psalm 119:11-12
“Who can understand his errors? Acquit (cleanse) me of hidden faults. Also keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me…let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:12-14
STEP # 6: Ask God for His help in order that you might have a renewed walk with Him.
“Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors (sinners) Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.” Psalm 51:12-13
STEP # 7: Pray continually to God that He will search your heart for evil tendencies, and that He will lead you in a better way (His way).
“Search me O God and know my heart; Try (test) me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful (sinful) way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble. I (God) will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:7-8
NOTE: In addition to the seven steps of repentance that I have been pointed out above, when our sin(s) also involves transgressing against another person who has been injured by our sinful actions, we are
instructed to go to that person and humbly ask for their forgiveness as well. We read the following in the New Testament Scriptures:
“Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother (or sister) has
something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Matthew 5:23-24
Author ~ Dave Zwicker