Real Repentance Looks Different – September 27, 2026

One key truth: Real repentance includes an attitude change toward sin.

If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life.
Ezekiel 18:26-27

Real Repentance Looks Different

The convicted felon stood before the judge with a look of deep regret on his face. He apologized to the people he had wronged. He asked for mercy with his sentence.

After the judge read the man’s sentence aloud, the look of regret vanished from his face. He hadn’t felt bad for hurting those people. He wasn’t sorry for anything. Well, maybe he was sorry he had gotten caught.

It’s an extreme example, but it’s the way that many people view repentance.

What about you?

You go to a party on Saturday night and drink with everyone else. You feel guilty on Sunday morning, but it doesn’t stop you from going to the next party and doing it all again.

You go too far with your boyfriend or girlfriend. You feel guilty afterward, but you have no intention of stopping.

You join in on the gossip with the other kids at school. You feel bad for ruining someone’s reputation, but you still make another cruel comment at school the next day to get the laughs.

Feeling guilty is not the same as repentance. Guilt recognizes that something is wrong. Repentance agrees with what God says about our sin and turns to him for mercy.

The prophet Ezekiel has a stern warning in the verses above from chapter 18. The person who sins and does not repent will face eternal death and separation from God.

That’s a scary thought for flawed humans who sin every single day.

So what are we supposed to do?

Repent. Turn. Live.

• Repent: Stop defending your sin. Confess it honestly to God.
• Turn: Don’t run away from God because you are ashamed. Turn toward Jesus and trust what he has already done for you.
• Live: Jesus carried your guilt to the cross. In him you have complete forgiveness and eternal life. Now you are free to fight against the sin that once controlled you.

Even repentance is worked in us by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Flee from your sin to the Savior who paid for that sin at the cross and sent the Holy Spirit to create faith in that promise in your heart.

The devil wants you to think that some sins are so big that you can’t repent of them. Nothing could be farther from the truth. No sin is bigger than the price Jesus paid at the cross. No matter what you’ve done, Jesus loves you and is waiting for you with open arms.

Repent. Turn. Live. This is the heartbeat of a Christian.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help me stop making excuses for my sin and turn to you instead. Thank you that no sin is bigger than your forgiveness; give me strength to fight sin and live in the freedom you won for me. Amen.