What Does The Word "Repent" Really Mean?

[Stephen63]

I think common sense should tell anyone since we are dealing with matters of Eternal Life or Death, "changing your mind" isn't referring to some airhead swapping shoes or hats on a whim.

BTW 'compunction' doesn't usually mean 'to have sorrowful regret'. It means, most often, you feel a strong reason or persuasion to do something.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compunction

Definition of compunction

• 1a : anxiety arising from awareness of guilt compunctions of conscienceb : distress of mind over an anticipated action or result… showed no compunction in planning devilish engines of … destruction. — Havelock Ellis
• 2: a twinge of misgiving : scruple cheated without compunction… he had no compunction about brushing aside legal technicalities. — Robert Penn Warren

Compunction | Define Compunction at Dictionary.com
noun1.a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain; contrition; remorse.

2.any uneasiness or hesitation about the rightness of an action.


https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/compunction

compunction

When you feel compunction you feel very, very sorry, usually for something you did to hurt someone or mess something up. When you feel no compunction, you're not at all sorry.

The noun compunction comes from the Latin verb compungere, meaning “prick sharply.” When you feel compunction, you feel a sharp prick of your conscience. The word compunction is often used in the negative in phrases like “without compunction” or "no compunction." You might say that the burglar acted without compunction when he stole your baseball card collection.

Definitions ofcompunction

1​

na feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

Synonyms:remorse, self-reproachTypes:guilt, guilt feelings, guilt trip, guilty conscienceremorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense
penance, penitence, repentanceremorse for your past conduct
survivor guilta deep feeling of guilt often experienced by those who have survived some catastrophe that took the lives of many others; derives in part from a feeling that they did not do enough to save the others who perished and in part from feelings of being unworthy relative to those who died
Type of:regret, rue, ruefulness, sorrowsadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment


Uummm..... yes it does. I don't know why you made that statement for, cuz it's not true.

 

[Socreta93]

By definition, repent means "feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin.". So basically, Blue, it's just what you said, asking for forgivness for your sins. Also you have to mean it or it won't count

 

[PeterJens]

Let us get real.

When your family are butchered, and you live in anger and hatred, and seek revenge
excuting on people you blame for destroying your life, that is sin and destruction.

Now repenting of such deeds is a real experience and is full of the deepest feelings
a human can have. It summarises the true value of a person and how they can be
taken in a few seconds.

Now in peaceful times when we live our whole lives without having to go to war
we live in an allusion and sin often becomes something in the background, that seems
to have little effect on others. In this world it is easy to say, oh it is just changing
your mind and agreeing with God. No wailing, weeping, before the Lord, just a coming
together. Thus speaks middle class, secure, isolated and protected people, who find
it hard and upsetting to have strangers round their home.

 

[Willie-T]

Let us get real.

When your family are butchered, and you live in anger and hatred, and seek revenge
excuting on people you blame for destroying your life, that is sin and destruction.

Now repenting of such deeds is a real experience and is full of the deepest feelings
a human can have. It summarises the true value of a person and how they can be
taken in a few seconds.

Now in peaceful times when we live our whole lives without having to go to war
we live in an allusion and sin often becomes something in the background, that seems
to have little effect on others. In this world it is easy to say, oh it is just changing
your mind and agreeing with God. No wailing, weeping, before the Lord, just a coming
together. Thus speaks middle class, secure, isolated and protected people, who find
it hard and upsetting to have strangers round their home.

And yet Jesus and His Apostles preached to every person they met, even those raised as rich, comfortable people..... not tortured souls... to REPENT.

And you still have the big one you keep trying to avoid.... that God, Himself, repented 28 times. I'm fairly certain God's family weren't "butchered, and He didn't live in anger and hatred, and seek revenge executing people He blamed for destroying His life."

If you are going to try to elicit dramatics and theatrics to invent a scenario you hope you will prove "repent" means to sob and wail, you really should do a better job. This was pitifully weak. "Repent" means that you need to come to a solid and reasoned understanding that you need to trust in Jesus to save you.

 

[Grace777x70]

Why is the real meaning of repentance so important?

I think what it boils down to is that the traditional evangelical view of preaching the gospel is to tell people "To stop sinning" and they use the word "repent" to say that is in the gospel message. That is not the gospel message.

The gospel message is not to stop sinning - it's to believe on what Christ has already done.

Check it out for yourselves. We have word-for-word a accounts of the real gospel being preached in Acts 10 by Peter and in Acts 13 by Paul.

Will people stop the sinning they did before if they believed the actual gospel message of Christ and what He has already done? You betcha!

Thank God for our freedom from sin because we are now in Christ.

The stop sinning part will come after they have already repented and believed in the gospel and the exchanged life of Christ within them as they walk by the spirit will stop the lusts of the flesh from doing "it's" desires as their minds are renewed through transformation by the Holy Spirit.

We may have been told something different in our church teachings and our minds when we first see this might go "What?" - but our heart knows the truth of Christ's work.

We can trust the life of Christ in us to bring life to us and transform us outwardly to reflect the new creation that we are in Christ now. By His grace through faith we will walk free of all things that held us captive before in our lives.

 

[dcontroversal]

Change your mind and AGREE with God concerning your immediate state.....Jesus and John both taught to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.....

 

[Grace777x70]

Change your mind and AGREE with God concerning your immediate state.....Jesus and John both taught to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.....

Amen.....Jesus said "repent and believe in the gospel" Mark 1:15

For in "it" - the gospel - it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Rom. 1:16-17

Religion has messed up the gospel and watered it down so much that they turned it into a behavior modification program of the flesh and it denies the work of Christ and the grace of God needed to operate like it was meant to do in our lives to bring about real transformation by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Stephen63]

And yet Jesus and His Apostles preached to every person they met, even those raised as rich, comfortable people..... not tortured souls... to REPENT.

And you still have the big one you keep trying to avoid.... that God, Himself, repented 28 times. I'm fairly certain God's family weren't "butchered, and He didn't live in anger and hatred, and seek revenge executing people He blamed for destroying His life."

If you are going to try to elicit dramatics and theatrics to invent a scenario you hope you will prove "repent" means to sob and wail, you really should do a better job. This was pitifully weak. "Repent" means that you need to come to a solid and reasoned understanding that you need to trust in Jesus to save you.

Genesis 6:6
​

New International Version
The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.
New Living Translation
So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

English Standard Version
And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

King James Bible
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

1 Samuel 15:35
​

New International Version
Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

New Living Translation
Samuel never went to meet with Saul again, but he mourned constantly for him. And the LORD was sorry he had ever made Saul king of Israel.

English Standard Version
And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

New American Standard Bible
Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

King James Bible
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

 

[Stephen63]

Why is the real meaning of repentance so important?

I think what it boils down to is that the traditional evangelical view of preaching the gospel is to tell people "To stop sinning" and they use the word "repent" to say that is in the gospel message. That is not the gospel message.

The gospel message is not to stop sinning - it's to believe on what Christ has already done.

Check it out for yourselves. We have word-for-word a accounts of the real gospel being preached in Acts 10 by Peter and in Acts 13 by Paul.

Will people stop the sinning they did before if they believed the actual gospel message of Christ and what He has already done? You betcha!

Thank God for our freedom from sin because we are now in Christ.

The stop sinning part will come after they have already repented and believed in the gospel and the exchanged life of Christ within them as they walk by the spirit will stop the lusts of the flesh from doing "it's" desires as their minds are renewed through transformation by the Holy Spirit.

We may have been told something different in our church teachings and our minds when we first see this might go "What?" - but our heart knows the truth of Christ's work.

We can trust the life of Christ in us to bring life to us and transform us outwardly to reflect the new creation that we are in Christ now. By His grace through faith we will walk free of all things that held us captive before in our lives.

Be rest assured if G777 finds something wrong with it, it is something good & right.

Acts 2: 37Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 3

19“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,21whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

Mark 1: 14Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel


Matthew 3

1Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”


Luke 13

1Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4“Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”


Matthew 4:17

New American Standard Bible
From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."


Acts 17

30“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

Mark 6
7And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— 9but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.”10And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11“Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” 12They went out and preached that men should repent. 13And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

Gee, I wonder why repentance is sooo important?

And you two knotheads, you put your likes on that horse manure.

 

[MattforJesus]

Let us not forget what Jesus said to people that accepted Him,but were found in error later on.

Church of Ephesus.

Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Works not right,REPENT.If they do not repent Jesus will take away their candlestick,which might have reference that their light will be extinguised.

Church in Pergamum.

Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

REPENT.If they do not repent Jesus will fight against them.

Church in Thyatira.

Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Works not right,REPENT.

Church in Sardis.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Works not right,REPENT.

Church in Laodecia.

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Works not right,REPENT.

And to anybody else that is not doing what is right claiming Christ.

REPENT,for Jesus is not playing.

If a person preaches the prosperity Gospel,withdraw yourself from them,having food and clothing.be content.

Abstain from fleshy lusts.

When a person endures temptaton,and does not sin,they will receive the crown of life,given to all people who love the Lord,for sin separates us from God.Do not err.

The children of God,and the children of the devil,are known by their lifestyle,and all who abide in Jesus does not sin,do not deceived,whoever does not do righteousness is not of God.

Love not the world,or the things in the world,and if a person does is not of the Father.

Millions of people that claim Christ that hold unto sin and believe they are alright,for it does not affect their relationship with Christ.

But Jesus has something to say about that,

REPENT.

 

[Grace777x70]

It looks like some have not read what was really said but I will say it again and thank God for the opportunity again preach Christ and His wondrous salvation. This is why I don't interact with this type of behavior types anymore.

Repentance:

Will people stop the sinning they did before if they believed the actual gospel message of Christ and what He has already done?

You betcha!

Thank God for our freedom from sin because we are now in Christ.

The stop sinning part will come after they have already repented and believed in the gospel and the exchanged life of Christ within them as they walk by the spirit will stop the lusts of the flesh from doing "it's" desires as their minds are renewed through transformation by the Holy Spirit.

 

[garee]

Let us not forget what Jesus said to people that accepted Him,but were found in error later on.

Church of Ephesus.

Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Works not right,REPENT.If they do not repent Jesus will take away their candlestick,which might have reference that their light will be extinguised.

Repentance is a work of God it alone comes by hearing God as he works in us turning us toward him so that we can acknowlege His Holy presence by faith .(the unseen)It is called the hearing of faith (His faith)therfore we can believe Him.Doing the first works is to believe God who works in the beliver to both will and perform his good pleausre.

If we do not hear him as he gives us ears to hear then who are repenting to? Our own consceince?

 

[Stephen63]

What folks forget is if you only "change your mind", that's not true repentance because it won't last. It's the grief that conviction brings that makes the change of mind sink in.

A "change of mind" will only last till the next time you do it again. That's why they say it's not true repentance.

 

[Grace777x70]

I'm a firm believer in the life of Christ being able to transforms us as we behold the glory/goodness of the Lord as in a mirror. 2 Cor. 3:17-18

Feed Christians the proper nutrients of the love and grace of God for them and they will grow in His grace and knowledge and manifest His life and love to a hurt and dying world that needs to know of our Father's love and grace towards them all.

Exchange the dependence on life and grace of Christ for our own self-efforts of the flesh and we create a D.I.Y self-righteousness religion that actually denies the work of Christ and we are attempting to try to mimic the life of Christ by what we do or don't do. This is called works-based righteousness. It's also called the religion of Christianity.

 

[Willie-T]

What folks forget is if you only "change your mind", that's not true repentance because it won't last. It's the grief that conviction brings that makes the change of mind sink in.

A "change of mind" will only last till the next time you do it again. That's why they say it's not true repentance.

I am ever amazed at how you totally reverse so many things. LOL

 

[Stephen63]

I am ever amazed at how you totally reverse so many things. LOL

Nooo.....I didn't reverse anything. I've kept these same standards all my life. It must be your standards that have changed.

 

[Stephen63]

Exchange the dependence on life and grace of Christ for our own self-efforts of the flesh and we create a D.I.Y self-righteousness religion that actually denies the work of Christ and we are attempting to try to mimic the life of Christ by what we do or don't do. This is called works-based righteousness. It's also called the religion of Christianity.

Irony by the ton.....

D.I.Y. self-righteousness doesn't need works.

• Changing the standards of grace creates it.
• Changing the standards of faith creates it.
• Changing the standards of conviction creates it.
• Changing the standards of repentance creates it.
• Changing the standards of obedience creates it.

You have changed every single one of these, then blame everybody else for having the D.I.Y. self-righteousness you have.

You cry like a baby whenever someone calls you out on it. Malice, slander, & lies you produce, then blame others, saying they're doing it.

Your not the only one doing it though..... others are too.

Those that post their likes on your horse manure are every bit as bad.

Matthew 23:15
​

New American Standard Bible
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

 

[FreeNChrist]

Let us not forget what Jesus said to people that accepted Him,but were found in error later on.

Church of Ephesus.

Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Works not right,REPENT.If they do not repent Jesus will take away their candlestick,which might have reference that their light will be extinguised.

Church in Pergamum.

Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

REPENT.If they do not repent Jesus will fight against them.

Church in Thyatira.

Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Works not right,REPENT.

Church in Sardis.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Works not right,REPENT.

Church in Laodecia.

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Works not right,REPENT.

And to anybody else that is not doing what is right claiming Christ.

REPENT,for Jesus is not playing.

If a person preaches the prosperity Gospel,withdraw yourself from them,having food and clothing.be content.

Abstain from fleshy lusts.

When a person endures temptaton,and does not sin,they will receive the crown of life,given to all people who love the Lord,for sin separates us from God.Do not err.

The children of God,and the children of the devil,are known by their lifestyle,and all who abide in Jesus does not sin,do not deceived,whoever does not do righteousness is not of God.

Love not the world,or the things in the world,and if a person does is not of the Father.

Millions of people that claim Christ that hold unto sin and believe they are alright,for it does not affect their relationship with Christ.

But Jesus has something to say about that,

REPENT.

Yep. God is still seeking the repentance of religionists....those who would dare to substitute their own activity for the activity of God.

 

[Grandpa]

That's the funny thing about words, especially biblical words. The majority think the word means one thing. They can all come to agreement and say "Yep, beyond a doubt this is what that word means".

But, like so many other things that concern the Lord Jesus Christ, the majority are not always correct.

The common thought is that repent simply means turn from your sin. Let the law teach you what sin is and try really hard to avoid it.

That's not it. Repent is to turn from all of your ways, all of your understanding, all of your wisdom and turn to God for His Provision in these areas. In all areas.


And that is the thought behind this verse;
Matthew 23:3 [FONT=&quot]All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

They use the right words. The words from the bible. But they don't really know what those words mean or how to apply them. [/FONT]