Page 75 - Biblical Counseling I Textbook

and that we try to justify as ‘righteous.’ Indeed, this sinful anger should be handled quickly
(before ‘sundown’).

Appendix B: Biblical Repentance (Handout)

Why Repent?
Because we have been united with Christ in a new life, and because biblical repentance is the ongoing
manifestation of God’s transforming work in our lives and the process that the Spirt uses to change us and to
assure us as we live out that new life in Christ.

Why do we continue to fail?
Because we don’t fully understand repentance, or because we don’t want to fully repent. Repentance is not just
confessing and feeling bad. It involves a zeal for true change, a plan of action for change, and a follow through
on that plan.
What is biblical repentance?
Repentance is a change of mind (I change what I am thinking and believing) that results in a change of action (I
change the things I do), all by His grace and in the power of His Spirit.
Repentance involves:
- Acknowledgement (Admit) Psalm 51:3, Proverbs 28:13
o We can’t repent if we don’t admit that we’re in sin
- Confession (Agree or “Say the same as”) Psalm 51:4, Psalm 32:5, 1 John 1:9
o We must agree with God’s assessment of our sin and the seriousness of it
o We must not diminish our sin and make it out to be no big deal
o We must not blame others or our circumstances
- Godly sorrow (Remorse/ contrition) Psalm 51:4, 8, 17; Matthew 5:4
o We must be broken and humble.
o It is not enough to simply acknowledge our sin, we must see it for what it is and grieve it.
- A Request for Forgiveness (Psalm 51:1, 9; psalm 32:5; 1 John 1:9; Luke 17:3-4)
o Cry out to God “I need you to cleanse me! I can’t cleanse myself!”
o Cry out to the person we’ve hurt “please forgive me, even though I don’t deserve it”
- Commitment to change (Psalm 51:10, Ephesians 4:22-24, Matt 3:8)
o Cry out to God “Don’t leave me like this!”
o Have confidence that God can and will change you (Eph 3:20-21)
o Commit to the people you are hurting to change your actions
o Plan to change by practicing “putting off and putting on” (Rom 13:14)
The Weight of Repentance
- When a Christian is continuing in sin, it’s for one of three reasons:
o A lack of Knowledge (I didn’t know it was sin)
o A lack if skill (I don’t know how to repent)
o A lack of will (I am not willing to repent)

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