What does it mean to repent?

[Richard OFfill]

If a person were to ask you to explain what the word 'repent' means what would you say?

We don't hear the word much. Why do you think that would be?

[Larry Lyons]

If a person were to ask you to explain what the word 'repent' means what would you say?

We don't hear the word much. Why do you think that would be?

I would say "repent" means to be truly sorry for a past deed or deeds and to stop doing what ever it was, and to repair any damage that was done if possible, providing the repair did not inflict more damage.

The word "repent" has a religious connotation. In the broader culture it is considered socially innapropriate to call for repentance. It would possibly result in the person making the call being accused of being judgmental.  That is true within the church as well to a certain extent.

[newbie]

making a 'U' turn  and come back to the first love

[Tammy]

So would confession and repentance happen at the same time?  You confess or name the sin, then repent, which is saying you're sorry and really intending to not do it again?  Or is confessing more than just naming it?

[Larry Lyons]

It is possible to confess without repenting. People who are charged with crimes often plead guilty in order to avoid a trial and the probability of a much harsher sentence. The same person might serve his time, or pay his fine, then repeat the same crime over again. He confessed but apparantly did not repent.

[George]

Repentance means being sorry enough to quit, to turn one's back on the deed or lifestyle being repented of.  Repentance leads to action: just as faith without deeds is dead, so repentance without deeds is dead (see Acts 26:20).  Repentance means feeling greater sorrow for the hurt your wrong caused others than for any shame or punishment you experienced.  True repentance is a gift of God, which can only be opened by those who are seeking out after God, as it is the natural byproduct of that process.  God wants everyone to receive this gift (2 Peter 3:9), but while everyone needs it, only sinners who recognize their need will ever receive it (Luke 5:31,32).  It comes to us as we move in the direction that God wants us to move - just as the ten lepers were cleansed "as they went" in response to Jesus' command.  Repentance does not naturally spring up in the heart of man and cannot be forced or manufactured. It does not remove all of the consequences of our sinful choices (many of which we still have to live with), but it will often avert disaster (Dan 4:27, book of Jonah).  It is an absolutely mandatory feature of the Christian life (Acts 17:30), and is a matter of life and death (Luke 13:1-5).  When we do open this gift of God, it is a cause for great rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:7).

[Ed Sutton]

George now that you are appropriatly on a roll don't forget these ...........Acts 5:31 ,   2 Timothy 2:25  repentance is a gift to be received and obtained by drinking in Genesis 3:15 & Deuteronomy 6:5

Deuteronomy 10:12

Deuteronomy 11:13

Matthew 22:37 

Mark 12:30 

Mark 12:33

Luke 10:27 

Luke 7:47

Proverbs 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.        If you eat & drink the Word we could indeed become friends bonded by Logos.