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How to Repent...Part 1  

Repentance has to Change

Our Mind Then Our Heart

and Then Our Behavior!

Repentance Starts With Your Head

We need changes in our behavior, but the process of repentance begins by changes in what you know and understand.

Knowing is important because that is where freedom from bondage begins. The Bible says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6a). Jesus told us, "and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). It is by "knowing" the truth that you will find freedom to be able to turn to God. 

But understanding is important too. The Bible says, "...the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes; So the people without understanding are ruined" (Hosea 4:14). 

The apostle Paul wrote, "we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;" (Col. 1:9b,10)

We should follow Paul’s example of praying for one another in this area. It is only after we are "filled with the knowledge of His will" that we can "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord." But, Paul was also talking about understanding. Understanding is important because, "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty" (Matt. 13:23).

I believe that applying these principles to the area of repentance means you have to understand—with your mind—why it is that turning from your earthly ways is the best thing you could do—for you. You also have to know and understand why it is right and good and safe for you to turn to God. You have to know these kinds of things because knowing is the first step toward believing.   

Repentance can’t even begin without a knowledge and understanding of truth that makes us free. 

Repentance begins with your head because faith is built on a foundation of what we know and understand. But, knowing is only the beginning. We have to start there. But after that, the majority of your effort has to be focused on your heart.

The truth that has power to make you free can't just stay in your head. What you know in your head has to move its way down into your heart. When that happens you have what it takes to change your behavior.

Repentance, Behavior, and Your Heart

Knowing is important, but knowing isn’t enough. We have to consider what is in our heart. The Bible says, "...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (Isa. 16:7). We need to do the same because repentance that is real, happens because of changes in your heart. .

 The Bible says, "...the heart of man reflects man." (Pro. 27:19). Unwanted behaviors and attitudes are a reflection of what is in our heart. Jesus said, "... his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart" (Luke 6:45b). He also told us, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within..." (Mark 7:21-23a). 

The principle I want you to understand is that all behavior, attitudes, and sin comes from what is in the heart.

The place where sin is first committed is in the heart—before the body gets involved. It was our Lord who also said, "but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Mat. 5:28).Since all behavior and attitudes flow from our heart, why is it that most Christians try to improve themselves by getting frustrated about their behavior? The scriptures say differently.

Any time we wander from God the reason is always the same, "They always go astray in their heart..." (Hebrews 3:10). If you want to repent—even of reoccurring behavioral sin—your heart is by far the best place you can focus your effort. The Bible is clear that repentance should result in improvements in our behavior, "...they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance" (Acts 26:20). Even so, the direct focus of our repentance should not be to stop ourselves from doing wrong behaviors. The improvements we need to make need to happen in our heart.

Anytime you want to improve your behavior or your attitudes—anytime you want to increase your practical purity before God—it is always best to focus on changing your heart. Repentance that is effective is that which changes your heart.

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I am praying for the Lord's abundant blessing on your efforts to direct your heart toward Him.

Barry.

     How to Repent — Continued...

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(C) Barry Hall 1999

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