Repentance involves the changing of a person’s mind. When we feel sorry for what we have not done or what we have done then we are repentant. The dictionary defines repentance as feeling regret or being dissatisfied because of a past intent or action which resulted in changing of mind or of changing a person’s ways.
Repentance is Godly sorrow and to despise sin. Repentance is returning to the Lord and having a right attitude towards Him. Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians 7:10 that Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of. There is nothing gloomy about repentance. When we repent we are to turn totally from whatever we are sorry for. This turning away means to turn totally away and never look back.
True repentance is followed by proving the change that has been professed. In the book of Acts, the people that repented brought books that were worth fifty thousand pieces of silver and burned them before all. In the First Thessalonians 1:9 the people proved their change by the turning away from idols and serving the true God.
Repentance is essential for true Salvation and also essential as a step to casting out demons and keeping the deliverance that the Lord gives you. The seeker must turn from all sin and turn to the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul told the people of Athens in the book of Acts that in the past God had winked at the ignorance of the things that they were involved in, but encouraged all to repent. (Acts 17:30)
A person must repent when they sin or they must perish. All must stand at the judgment seat of the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing this fact, men are commanded to repent while on the earth and living. “God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained whereof he has given assurance to all men in that he has raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31) The Bible also says that the goodness of God will lead a person to repentance. Luke wrote in chapter 13:3: unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish”. Sinning is not good; however, sinning without repentance is worse.