Sometimes I am amused by the dictionary. Merriam-Webster Online’s entry for repentance is humorous for not being very helpful in illuminating the noun’s meaning: the action or process of repenting, especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings. It always seems odd to give the definition of a word by using a variant of the same word. The online dictionary does somewhat heal this rupture in my dictionary-browsing expectations by providing a clever link to “repenting”: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life; to feel regret or contrition; to change one’s mind.
Repentance is a big deal. It’s presence in scripture spans both Old and New Testaments with much repetition. It would seem God is very interested in us understanding how we should respond to our sin. As we will briefly see, feeling bad – living with a sense of guilt – is not what is meant by repentance. And ignoring our sin is certainly not repentance. Let’s look at some specific examples, collected with the aide of blueletterbible.org:
Repent, all of you who ignore me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.
Psalm 50:22Psalm 50:22
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
22 You have ignored me! So pay close attention or I will tear you apart, and no one can help you.
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“Repent” in this verse is pulled from the Hebrew phrase biyn…pen, “consider…or else…”. Biyn has a range of meaning covering to consider, discern, acknowledge and pay careful heed. We see here a use of repentance that is focused on carefully considering our actions and motivations in light of God’s wisdom and revealed character. We also see the seriousness with which God expresses our need for repentance.
Perhaps the people of Judah will repent if they see in writing all the terrible things I have planned for them. Then I will be able to forgive their sins and wrongdoings.
Jeremiah 36:3Jeremiah 36:3
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
3 then read it to the people of Judah. Maybe they will stop sinning when they hear what terrible things I plan for them. And if they turn to me, I will forgive them.”
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Jeremiah 36:3Jeremiah 36:3
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
3 then read it to the people of Judah. Maybe they will stop sinning when they hear what terrible things I plan for them. And if they turn to me, I will forgive them.”
WP-Bible plugin combines Hebrew shama, to hear, perceive, attend to, regard and obey with shuwb, to turn back, to turn away. This further shows us that beyond just considering our actions, we are to pay careful attention to God’s voice and respond by turning away from what he has identified as opposed to his will and person. And from the lips of Jesus:
The people of Nineveh will rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now someone greater than Jonah is here–and you refuse to repent.
Matthew 12:41Matthew 12:41
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
41 . On the day of judgment the people of Nineveh m Nineveh: During the time of Jonah this city was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, which was Israel's worst enemy. But Jonah was sent there to preach, so that the people would turn to the Lord and be saved. will stand there with you and condemn you. They turned to God when Jonah preached, and yet here is something far greater than Jonah.
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Here we find metanoeo, a Greek word with the idea of withdrawing, turning away. It has in it the concept of mental direction, of changing one’s mind. A noun form of this word is used in 2 Peter 3:92 Peter 3:9
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
9 The Lord isn't slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.
WP-Bible plugin, meaning something like, “an intention to change based on recognition of past sin and moral failure”.
The idea of “repent” has a heavy element of careful consideration, of deep thought. But it is thought that changes our behavior, that makes us withdraw from what is offensive and contrary. It is a move of the will away from what God had declared harmful towards what God had declared beautiful and noble. Ask yourself the following:
- When you fail, do you apologize to assuage guilt, or do you repent the way the Bible describes it?
- When relationships fail, do your thoughts bring you to a place where you are willing to change your behavior to restore them?
- Is your love strong enough to make you give up your comfort and pride?
- Are you thankful for God’s patience and fatherly care and correction?
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