What is repentance?

Published August 30, 2026

Short answer: Repentance is a sincere turning of the heart and mind toward God. It includes recognizing sin as God defines it, abandoning confidence in your own way, and becoming willing to submit to His truth. Biblical repentance is joined with faith in Jesus Christ. It is not merely feeling sorry, fearing consequences, or trying to earn forgiveness through better behavior.

Jesus commanded people to repent

Repentance is not an optional addition to the gospel. Jesus said:

Luke 13:3 (KJV)

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Sin has turned humanity away from God. Repentance turns toward Him. It does not mean that a sinner makes himself worthy before coming; it means he stops defending his rebellion and comes honestly to God.

Repentance and faith belong together

Paul summarized his preaching this way:

Acts 20:21 (KJV)

“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Repentance toward God and faith toward Christ are not competing plans of salvation. The sinner turns from false confidence and self-rule and turns to the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy. Repentance without faith leaves a person looking at his sin without resting in the Savior; claimed faith without repentance attempts to receive Christ while refusing His truth.

Repentance is more than regret

A person may feel terrible about consequences and still refuse to turn to God. Scripture distinguishes godly sorrow from the sorrow of the world:

2 Corinthians 7:10 (KJV)

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

Sorrow can accompany repentance, but emotion alone is not repentance. Godly sorrow moves a person toward an honest change of direction. Worldly sorrow may grieve over embarrassment, loss, or punishment while continuing to love the sin itself.

Repentance involves a changed mind that leads to a changed direction

In Jesus’ parable, one son initially refused his father’s command but afterward changed his response:

Matthew 21:28–29 (KJV)

“A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

“He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.”

His changed mind became visible in a changed direction. This does not teach salvation by works. It illustrates that genuine repentance is more than speaking regretful words while continuing deliberately in the same refusal.

Repentance does not mean becoming sinless before salvation

No one can clean himself sufficiently to deserve grace. If repentance meant successfully conquering every sin before coming to Christ, no sinner could be saved.

The tax collector in Jesus’ parable came without a list of achievements:

Luke 18:13–14 (KJV)

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other…”

He stopped defending himself and appealed to God’s mercy. Repentance brings the sinner to God as he truly is, while faith rests in the Savior God has provided.

Repentance is not penance

Repentance should not be confused with performing religious acts to pay for sin. No amount of suffering, charitable giving, repeated prayers, or human discipline can purchase forgiveness. Jesus Christ paid the price sinners could never pay.

True repentance may lead someone to confess wrong, make restitution when possible, abandon sinful practices, and accept correction. Those actions are fruit—not payment for pardon.

God grants repentance

Scripture speaks of repentance as something God commands and also graciously grants:

Acts 11:18 (KJV)

“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

This should destroy pride. A repentant sinner cannot boast that he rescued himself. God confronts us with truth, draws us toward Christ, and graciously opens the way of life.

What fruit should repentance produce?

John the Baptist told religious leaders:

Matthew 3:8 (KJV)

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”

Fruit does not create the root. Changed conduct does not purchase salvation. Yet a profession of repentance that never affects a person’s attitude toward sin deserves serious examination.

The precise fruit will differ according to the sin and circumstances. Honesty may replace deception. Restitution may follow theft. Humility may replace self-justification. A person who falls may seek forgiveness and renewed obedience instead of making peace with rebellion.

Must repentance be perfect?

A new believer’s understanding is not perfect, and repentance does not mean knowing every hidden sin at the moment of conversion. The issue is the direction of the heart. Is the person defending his right to rule himself, or is he turning toward God and submitting to the light he has received?

As believers grow in Scripture, God exposes attitudes and actions that must be forsaken. Repentance therefore has an initial place in conversion and an ongoing place in Christian life.

Can someone repent and still struggle with sin?

Yes. Struggle is not the same as surrender. A repentant believer may experience strong temptation or repeated battles, but he cannot honestly call darkness light and refuse every appeal from God.

When believers sin, they should confess it, receive God’s correction, and turn again toward obedience. Repentance does not require pretending the struggle is easy; it requires refusing to make sin your accepted master.

How should you repent?

Do not wait until you feel a certain amount of sorrow. Respond to the truth God has shown you.

Conclusion

What is repentance?

It is a sincere turning toward God that agrees with His judgment about sin, abandons self-rule and false confidence, and accompanies faith in Jesus Christ. It is not payment for salvation, emotional regret alone, or instant sinless perfection. Genuine repentance receives mercy and begins producing a changed direction.

For the complete gospel, read How to Be Saved. For fuller teaching and application, continue through the free 100-lesson discipleship course, including Lesson 3 on repentance.

Related questions