Jesus began His ministry by preaching “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17) This is verified by Mark’s gospel account in Mark 1:14-15. What should be obvious is how important the concept of repentance is to the good news Jesus Christ preached.  

The word repent was translated from the Greek word metanoeo which means to think differently or afterwards; I.e. reconsider (morally feel compunction). Based on the definition, we can see that the word repent primarily pertains to how a person thinks or perceives. A change in perception will naturally result in a change in how a person feels about any given situation.  

The word repentance was translated from the Greek word metanoia which means compunction (for guilt including reformation) by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision). Compunction means a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain, contrition, remorse. If a man believes a course of action is just, he will not have a feeling of uneasiness after engaging in the action. Only after he begins to think differently (metenoeo) will he develop anxiety of conscience. Thus the state of repentance is a three step process: 1) a change in mind, 2) a change in feeling, and 3) a change in conduct.  

Thinking Differently  

As previously mentioned, the first stage (or step) of repentance is a change in mind. This concept is expressed throughout the entire Bible. In this section, we will focus on the words of Jesus Christ.  

To truly understand repentance, we must recognize the underlying theme of Jesus’ longest recorded sermon. This sermon is found in Matthew 5 through 7. The major theme of this sermon is conduct!!! Throughout the sermon, Jesus is challenging His disciples to think differently. Read the following examples:  

• Matt. 5:21-22 
• Matt. 5:27-28 
• Matt. 5:31-32 
• Matt. 5:43-44 

In these verses, Jesus is dismantling their unrighteous way of thinking. Jesus is showing His disciples how to think differently about their way of living. Many teach about these verses, but rarely make the connection to repentance. Jesus was demonstrating a way of thinking that is higher than our own (Isa. 55:6-9). Included in these demonstrations, Jesus gave examples of bringing forth “fruits meet for repentance” (Matt. 3:1-2,7-8). We will discuss this further under the subtitle “A Change in Conduct.” 

To reiterate, to repent is to think differently. In the biblical context, this word means to think differently about your way of living. It is about rejecting an unrighteous lifestyle and accepting what God has said about righteousness. Read I Cor. 6:9-11 which shows how some of the converted Corinthians used to live a life filled with unrighteousness that would exclude them from inheriting the kingdom of God.  

Read Matt. 21:28-32. Be sure to read verse 32 carefully. Notice Jesus declared to the chief priests and the elders, “when ye had seen it, repented not afterward that you might believe him.” This verse is additional proof of the connection between repentance and belief. What you believe shows how you think. To change what you believe requires you to change how you think. Remember to repent is to think differently. John explained to these men the way of righteousness, yet they rejected it by not changing the way they thought about righteousness.  

Again, consider that Jesus showed in Matt. 5 that sin begins with the mind and heart (that is thoughts and feelings). This fact is magnified by Matt. 15:15-20 and Mark 7:14-23. When compared to Matt. 5, these verses show that sin originates from a wrong way of thinking. Lusting with your eyes is the same as adultery and unjust anger is the same as murder. Lust and anger are just two examples of sin originating in the mind.  

To repent is to think differently about sin. It is to think the way God thinks about sin. This is why David wrote, “Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” (Ps. 119:104) Also read Ps. 119:127-128; Prov. 8:13; Ps. 97:10; and Prov. 6:16-19.  

Recognize that the carnal mind is hostile against God because it is not submissive to the law of God (Rom. 8:7). It is God’s law and word that shows us the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness!!! Until you began to think differently (repent) about God’s law, you will not strive to be submissive towards it. Until you begin to think differently about God’s law, you will not change how you feel about sin.  

There is a spiritual battle that starts in the mind that can only be won by, “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (II Cor. 10:5) Once you begin to think differently, you will feel differently.  

A Change in Feeling 

As explained in previous paragraphs, how you feel about sin will change if you think differently about sin. As we have read in Psalms and Proverbs, when you begin to change your thinking to align with the way God thinks, you will begin to hate sin (which is unrighteousness). Let’s cover one amazing example of this for your edification, but be sure to reread Ps. 119:127-128; Prov. 8:13; Ps. 97:10; and Prov. 6:16-19 as examples of changing how you feel about sin.  

Notice what happened to the crowd listening to Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:37. Peter spoke to the crowd about their participation in the unjust sentencing and execution of Jesus Christ. Upon hearing this message, the crowd was “pricked in the heart.” The word pricked was translated from a Greek word which means pierce thoroughly i.e. figuratively to agitate violently. The heart is often used as a symbol of thoughts and feelings. Peter’s message pierced the crowd emotionally. The crowd began to think differently about what they were party to 50 days prior. This change in thinking changed their feelings about what they have done. Rather than feeling justified in their actions, they were convicted and ask, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 

A Change in Conduct 

It is necessary at this point to transition into the discussion of changing one’s conduct because of a change in feeling. Human beings are emotional creatures and typically take action based on their emotional dispositions. As in the example of Acts chapter 2, the thinking of the crowd changed which led to an emotional change (being pricked in the heart) which resulted in the question of what they should do.  

Peter’s response to the question was, “Repent and be baptized every one of you…” (Acts. 2:38). He tells them to reverse their thinking fully and to do something; be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sin. This is clearly discussing more than feeling remorse for sins committed. Baptism is a symbol of being washed by being fully submerged in water. The same Greek word translated as baptize was also translated as wash in Mark 7:4. This verse discusses returning from the open market and washing oneself before eating. The issue of baptism is about being washed in the name of Jesus Christ. Notice the following verse:  

“But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” (Matt. 3:14) 

John the Baptist recognized that he was the one who needed to be washed! John also taught that someone greater would come and wash them with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). To do something in someone’s name is to do it for that person’s glory, honor, and reputation. Think of expression: “In the name of the king.” What does this expression mean? It means to the king’s glory or for the king’s reputation. Peter told the crowd to be washed (be clean) for Jesus Christ’s glory and honor. This is about how Christians represent Jesus Christ. Peter says be washed (clean) and this is about conduct!!! Christians are to be clean from sin as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings!!! 

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) 

True repentance is about changing how you think, feel, and act regarding sin. Do you suppose that Jesus washes you so that you may get dirty again? No! He washes us that we may stay clean, and baptism is a symbol of being made clean through forgiveness. When Christians sin, they make Jesus Christ and God the Father look bad in the eyes of men. Nathan the prophet had to teach King David this lesson (II Sam. 12:13-14). 

Repentance is to be clean and unspotted from the world for Jesus’ glory (not your own). Repentance is turning away from the person you were and striving to be the person God made you to be! This is what John meant when he told the people to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Luke 3:7-14). Repentance is the rejection of the way of death paved by satan and the acquisition of God’s way of living (Read Eph. 2:2 and Eph. 4:17-24).

How can you be a new man, if you still think like the old man? Would a new man feel the same way about sin as the old man? Would a new man act the same as the old man? A new man should have new thoughts that reflect his reconciliation with God. Before repentance, the old man’s way of thinking, feeling, and acting is in disagreement with what God thinks, feels, and does. After reconciliation and repentance, you become a new man striving to honor the Father and Son!!! (Eph. 5:1-5 and Ps. 119:97-106) 

To reiterate, repentance is not a mere feeling of guilt for sin. Even the wicked can express guilt when their sins are uncovered. True repentance is the acknowledgement that your whole way of living has been wrong and full commitment to follow God’s prescribed way of being even in the face of persecution!!!