Repentance (1 of 3): Turning From Sin

Open Your Bible

Joel 2:12, Psalm 51:1-19, Acts 3:19-20, 2 Peter 3:8-9

Text: Joel 2:12, Psalm 51:1-19, Acts 3:19-20, 2 Peter 3:8-9

One of the things I love most about Lent is its honesty.

This is not Christmas, where we deck the halls in red and green and pretty up our lives with twinkle lights and shiny bows. This is not the moment to don our Sunday best, to be as pulled together and ironed out as we know how to be. It is not for covering ourselves up, either in our overconfident armor or in blankets of shame. Lent is the opposite of that.

Lent is the time we let down the mask and reveal lines of sadness on tired faces underneath. Lent is the time we let our legs give way in their weakness and let our best efforts crumble to the floor in a heap. Lent is the time where we stop pretending and start confessing. It is a sober yet hopeful path to the heart of the heavenly Father, who “is patient with [us], not wanting any to perish” (2 Peter 3:8-9). And it all begins with a turning.

Lent begins at repentance.  

The word “repent” as it is used in the New Testament comes from the Greek word metanoeō, which means to change one’s mind, to turn from sin. “Repent and turn back,” Peter said to the crowd at the temple, after the lame man went out healed and leaping, “so that your sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19).

Not “repent and do better” or “repent and save yourself,” but repent and turn back. Repent and turn to Jesus.

Since we’re touting honesty here, can I honestly tell you that sometimes I’d rather not? Turn back, that is. When I do, I must see my sin for what it is—a stain I can never remove on my own. It is an offense to the God who has loved me faithfully from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5). It is a stripe on the back of the Son who took the guilt of that very offense upon Himself and suffered in my place (Isaiah 53:5). To turn back means acknowledging that.

The sinful place where I stand—a place that is not God-honoring or God-facing, a place that does not acknowledge that God is God and I and the world are not—is a place I can get comfortable in if I let myself. The sights and sounds grow familiar, and I become accustomed to the view. I decide I’ll clean up the mess myself, and I refuse to turn back until I’m finished.

To turn may be simple, but it is not easy. The prophet Joel understood this. He described turning from sin as an emotionally laden event, accompanied by signs of deep sorrow and utter dependance. “Turn to Me with all your heart,” he said, acting as a spokesperson from God to His people (Joel 2:12). You and I have seen the dark corners of our hearts, so we question the invitation.

But questioning the invitation means questioning the love of our God. Leaving our feet stuck in the mire of sin means refusing the finished work of our Savior.

The Lord who calls us to repent and turn with all our hearts already knows our hearts. He stands ready to forgive, to remove our armor and our masks and clothe us with His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). He invites us to come quickly and honestly, with no hope other than Him. He invites us to turn from our sin, even when the turning itself is a struggle.

Lent is not for dressing up our sin in an effort to make it look less like sin, or succumbing to the despair that we’ll never get it right. Lent is for turning away from sin altogether. Lent is for stripping ourselves bare and standing uncovered before the God who made us, who knows and loves us fully, to say,  I’m here, Lord, under all my disguises.

I’m still the sinner you rescued, a sinner who is nothing without you. O Lord, rescue me still.

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185 thoughts on "Repentance (1 of 3): Turning From Sin"

  1. Marlee says:

    I could read a book about this without finding such real-world apsehacorp!

  2. frances justine simeon says:

    I’m still the sinner you rescued, a sinner who is nothing without you. O Lord, rescue me still.

  3. Meredith Hunt says:

    I haven’t been involved in personal devotion for a long time. As I read day two of the Lent Devotional, I find my eyes glaze over the words half the time and I take a away more by reading other’s comments. I so deeply want to grow in the Lord -yet I’m feeling stuck.

    1. Raehanne says:

      Hi Meredith! I can SO relate to this & so I just want to encourage you to take time before you dive into His word and ask for eyes to see and ears to hear His word through the Holy Spirit. We can read words, but in order for the words to penetrate our hearts that is the work of the Holy Spirit. I hope you can hear truth and be moved through Him. His power is incredible when we open ourselves to all parts of Him.

  4. Hallie says:

    This opens my eyes to see I am not perfect that lent is honestly honest and that is why I love it so much!!

  5. Bek says:

    Before this reading, I believed this crazy lie that repentance = promising God you will never sin in that particular way again. So I never repented… just confessed a lot.
    I was amazed to learn today that repentance is actually not that, but a gift. It is an invitation out of sin from the One who wants to see us become holy and no longer entagled by sin. So powerful!!
    Thank you, She Reads Truth & of course the great teacher; Holy Spirit xxx

  6. Sandi Khan says:

    Your words show a loving relationship with GOD JESUS. : – ) But, I have a ? No where, in HOLY SCRIPTURE, do i find “lent”. JESUS SAYS, in John 14:15, If you love ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, not make up your own “stuff”.

    1. Ali K says:

      I thought Day 2’s explanation was very helpful as to why we still choose to recognize Lent today — it’s probably worth going back and reading. It’s says that although “God issued no new calendar requirement for the New Testament church, He gave His people the freedom to order their days while maintaining the commitment to remember the redemption of Jesus Christ (Romans 15:4-9, Galatians 3:1-4, Romans 6:5-11, 2 Peter 1:3-11).” It’s just an act of remembrance, a choice we make to honor God and tell His story. I do think it’s important to not make it legalistic, and forget what’s most important about our relationship with Christ, but I also think there is value is a time of reflection.

      1. Sana says:

        Thanks Ali for that reminder!

    2. Michelle says:

      Lent is a time of repentance and self denial that was created to commemorate the 40 days in which Christ fasted in the desert and was tempted by Satan. If Jesus could resist all temptation and deny himself food then we should also repent our sins and resist evil. Lent is a period of 40 days that ends on Easter Sunday.

  7. Sarah Michelle says:

    ❤️ I’m turning back. Sometimes this world distracts me so much and then I feel so unworthy of the love our father gives. I need him but sometimes I feel I can’t face him! Thanks for these devotionals!

  8. Angela says:

    Thank you for this! I’ve been really struggling with the “turning back” part, but this has encouraged me to do that today! I’ve been watching a show that’s not really good, and I’ve gotten kinda addicted. But today, I’m going to depend and turn back! Thank you so much :)

  9. Beth Price Almeida says:

    I have been fighting this so hard! I say I am so sorry for all the times I have messed up and driven nails deeper into the precious hands of my Savior. I KNOW that I mean it when I confess and say that I am so sorry but then the devil comes in and says, “What if He doesn’t believe you? What if there is one corner of your heart that is holding back?” I know this isn’t true but it is so hard to fight the enemy of my mind.
    I know that God loves me and that I dearly love Him but sometimes I am just so afraid I’m too messed up! Thank you for this reminder that Jesus died for me!

  10. Amanda says:

    “Lent is for stripping ourselves bare […] to say I’m here Lord under all the disguises.”

  11. Michelle of Los Angeles CA says:

    “I’m still the sinner you rescued, a sinner who is nothing without you. O Lord, rescue me still.” I say this daily , “I’m nothing without Him . He is all I need ” I love this study, Lent .
    Thank you

  12. Mallorie says:

    It is a stripe on the back of the Son who took the guilt of that very offense upon Himself and suffered in my place (Isaiah 53:5). To turn back means acknowledging that.

    Sobering reminder, who am I not to turn back after such an act?

  13. Alexis D says:

    Great job! I love the Bible readings and the devotional for the day.

  14. Amye says:

    I love the description of turning from sin the we are supposed to turn. Instead of how we want to turn!

  15. Charlie says:

    As a new Christian that’s still finding her way, there are days where I feel so close and others sooo far from God. This was a much needed reminder that on the days that I might feel far away, God is still there with His arms open waiting for me to just turn around. Sometimes it’s hard to accept our own sin that we don’t see His love will wash it away completely if we would just let Him. Sometimes I feel like I need to pre-wash, assuming He needs a bit of help like an old dishwasher that doesn’t quite get those hard to reach spots… He is the newest model out that makes even the oldest of dishes look brand new! To know that it’s not easy to turn around on a wider scale than just me helps loosen the ties from the world that little bit more. Thank you :D

  16. Brighton says:

    Wow. So powerful. Thank you. :)

  17. Bianca says:

    Forgive me for my sins, Lord. Wash me clean as snow so that I may be worthy in your presence! Guide me daily to live my life according to your word and in the footsteps set forth by Jesus Christ, my savior. Amen!

    19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

  18. Annie says:

    Wow. This is so powerful. “Questioning the invitation means questioning the love of God.” Thank you so much for this.

  19. Stacey says:

    Such a powerful devotion this morning. Thank you to all the SRT Team… God has utilised you well!

  20. Nikki says:

    Thanks SRT. Beautifully written study. I loved the selection of readings. It really helped me to understand Psalm 51 more, and repentence. What wonder that when we turn we are given garments of salvation, and joy. So thankful God is love!

  21. Kathleen Moore says:

    Thank you, we’ll explained..I understand lent better

  22. Stefanie says:

    I can’t get over his promise in Acts: that when I repent and turn away from my sin, He will bring me into a season of refreshment.

    1. Lori says:

      Yes, this struck me as well. I wrote it down so I won’t forget! What a God we serve who not only forgives, but refreshes us.

  23. Avery Tanner says:

    “He stands ready to forgive.” What an amazing promise that can only come from our God above!

  24. Taylor says:

    I love serving the God who cares so deeply for all of his creation’s souls and desires for us to repent to Him. 2 Peter 3:8-9 really reveals a lot about the God we live for and I am honored to be His.

  25. Heather says:

    Really great reminder….so thankful for the God who desires honesty and pours His love into broken hearts.

  26. Ann Marie says:

    Good reminder of what Lent is really about and a call to action. God will wash away are sins, but we need to be a willing participant…we need to repent and then turn back to God. Repent and ask for forgiveness, but then be ready to walk in the light of God and ensure that the light is shining through you to others!

  27. Becky Raphael says:

    Sorry all… Bad formatting…

  28. Becky Raphael says:

    If i were to reflect and reminisce on my past lives it would be a livlives..Wow…

  29. Jadah says:

    (Sorry if the formatting of this post is a little off. My phone is not cooperating) Yes, God is patient, but He is also a giver of free will. He gently, with a still small voice, lets us know that the path we’re on isn’t His best for us. We can choose to continue doing life our way or turn in His direction (repent). He’s there patiently waiting for us when we are ready to make that decision.
    I think back to the Lord’s Prayer (lead us not into temptation) and another passage speaking of God always providing a way of escape. He’s always faithful to give us the tools to turn away from our sin, but it’s up to us if we are willing to use them.
    Thank You, Lord, for loving me enough to give me the tools I need and the freedom of choice to use them when I’m ready to fully commit. There’s no love like the Father’s love.

  30. Mrs P says:

    I’ve got my blinker on. I’m ready to make my turn to repentance.

  31. Bek says:

    What happens when you don’t want to turn from sin but know you should? How can you get past this?

    1. Elsa says:

      I’m in that place as well. Right now I’m just praying that God changes my heart and will keep praying that

      1. Pamela says:

        Often when we don’t want to turn from sin it’s because we lack the emotional maturity or enlightenment to do so. To get to that point, it’s important to pray, read relevant scripture to your circumstances and watch your circumstances carefully to see what God might be trying to say to you through other players. Many Bibles have an index for all manner of topics (feelings, situations, etc) with corresponding scripture verses. Alternatively, google a decent Christian online bookshop to access a book which either addresses your sin(s) specifically or which teaches more regarding turning away from sin and WHY it is so important and HOW to go about it.
        Frequently, we are unable to see the bigger picture of our circumstances and how our sin can lead us to greater sin eventually, so gaining insight into the bigger picture of our lives is an important motivator for turning from sin, I think.
        Hope that helps!

    2. Sigkapoli says:

      Pray for the desire to stop. You can’t do it without Christ, but he will give you the strength needed

    3. suznk says:

      When I was in a season of knowing I was in a sinful place, but not wanting to give it up, the real issue was that I didn’t believe that God could, or would, make me happy. Eventually, He removed the situation, but it was hurtful, and took me a long time to recover. My problem was knowing what was right, but willfully being disobedient. God will correct those He loves, and I am so thankful for that, but my rebellion cost me. If I could go back, I would repent and flee from that sinful place in my life. It would have saved many tears for me, and for those I love. I am so grateful for God’s grace.

  32. Megan says:

    this is what I needed.

  33. Samantha Q. says:

    Thank you so much for this reading today. So many times I think that God has had enough of me or he grows wearing of my constant failures. “The Lord is patient toward you” really hit the nail on the head for me. I am excited to see what God keeps revealing to me during this Lent season.

  34. Rebekah says:

    Sometimes I can’t even locate my sin. How can I repent when I don’t know where to begin?

    1. Amanda says:

      I sometimes feel the same way. But I also feel that way even more when I’m not truly in the Word, and not surrounding myself with godly friends. I believe that when in prayer and in being in the Word, The Holy Spirit can and will open my eyes to where I need to repent. Like Amanda said, repentance is simple, but not easy.

    2. Carissa says:

      I was just about to post something similar… Where in the Bible (besides the 10 Commandments) does it help us identify our sin? It’s not that I think I’m not a sinner, I’m just trying to relate it to my life. Like yelling at my kids? Getting frustrated with my husband or a friend? Are those sins? But Jesus got frustrated and yelled (in the temple when people were not using it as a place of worship). and he was sinless so hmmmm?

      1. Carissa says:

        I actually just googled “list of sins from the bible” and found something that helped… http://www.gotquestions.org/list-of-sins.html

        1. Tamara B says:

          Tnx for the list.. I don’t “know” any sins to repent for.. But when I read James 4:17, I know where to start :)

    3. shannon says:

      Sin is anything we think, say or do that does not honor God. The bible does not cover every sin, so to speak. I think through my day….when that person cut me off in traffic, what was my response? One that honored God? When my child spilled the milk, did my response honor God? When my husband was late coming home from work, did my response honor God?

  35. Maggie T. says:

    Hello everyone :) I’m a 19-year-old college student just starting reading devotionals for the first time and exploring more about my faith. I was wondering if any of you had tips for getting the most out of your time reading. I’m taking a New Testament class here at school and it’s truly amazing, so I’m thinking writing notes along with reading, like I do when I’m in class. I would really love to hear all of your insight! Thank you!

    1. Chelsey says:

      Hi Maggie! I had this same question a few years ago when I decided I wanted to go deeper in daily relationship with God. What I learned? God has many takes on intimacy with him. I asked women I knew I could follow and they all did something a little differently and said it changed for them, depending on the season. The common thread was alone time in scripture and a deepening prayer life. For me right now, I begin my day with “Daily Light” because it’s all Scripture. I dig deeper in my Bible, reading more than just what was in the quick devo, and often journal what the Holy Spirit is prompting in me. My relationship has grown most drastically though from a more focused prayer life, actually going to God and spending time thanking him and involving him in my life. He’s spoken in such clear ways, and I think this has all equipped me to hear and see him. Hope this helps!

    2. Amber says:

      Maggie,
      Nothing is more fulfilling than digging deeply and growing in the Word! My “aha” moment was being a part of a study based on Jenn Hatmacher’s book, “A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study”. Corny title, but way eye-opening in understanding how to approach and study the Bible for myself. Keep pursuing Him!

    3. Abby B says:

      Hi Maggie! So happy for you to be reading and studying God’s Word! I’d encourage you to PRAY before you begin reading…ask God to open the eyes of your heart to understand and apply what He is teaching you about Him. Focus on Him. That’s key because it’s easy for us to approach the Bible with a “how does this apply to my life” lens when it’s not about us…it’s God revealing Himself and His character, showing us Who He is, so that we trust Him and grow in relationship with Him. For me, after I pray and read, I think about it and journal. It gives me a way to look back to see where I was and how faithful God is. I’m praying right now that God would continue to call you to Him and that (if you haven’t already) you will make the decision to follow Him, to go all in for the God Who went all in for all of us!

  36. Anna Rose says:

    Wow! Today’s reading was such a good reading. God is so Great to send a second Adam to wash us clean from sins.

  37. Coach Sinta says:

    Thanks to the Lord.

  38. Bethany says:

    “I’m still the sinner you rescued, a sinner who is nothing without you. O Lord, rescue me still.”
    I love this! I’ve been feeling so far from God – almost to the point of feeling too far gone to come back. This reminds me that he still saves. He is still good. He is still gracious in love and mercy.

    1. Megan says:

      Bethany, no matter how far you’ve gone “Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you” Jeremiah 29:11 His word reminds of this over and over.
      Felt like I was supposed to share this with you. You may feel so far, but if you focus your eyes on Jesus you will see that he’s actually carrying you right now. May this time of lent bring you back to him. Thank you for sharing your heart.

  39. Tina J says:

    “But questioning the invitation means questioning the love of our God. Leaving our feet stuck in the mire of sin means refusing the finished work of our Savior.”

    So very powerful! I need to repent, truly repent. I don’t want to turn away from what the Savior has done for me.

  40. Lauren S says:

    A student is studying for a test. She’s been studying for days and hours on end; but no matter how much she works, it seems like it will never be enough. There’s just too much information to go over.
    Someone she has never seen before comes up to her, curious as to why she looks so panicked and stressed out. The student tells them about the test and all of the work she has to do and the material she has to cover and honestly just how completely hopeless she feels. Little does she know, the person who came up to her knew exactly who she was, and he knew all of the work she was trying to do and how it was just too much for her. He told her that he would take the test in her place, and she was completely confused. How was another person supposed to take this test for her? I mean this was a guy that looked nothing like her and there was no way that this would work. He saw the disbelief in her eyes and explained that he knew the teacher and could get special permission to take the test for her, he even had a letter from the teacher as proof. Hearing all of this and seeing what her teacher said, she could help but to stand in awe at what was going on. She could finally stop all the stress and worry and work because there was someone there to do all of that for her. All she has to do is agree and put all of her trust in the hands of this stranger and that he could do the test for her, so she did. She gave all of it over to him, trusting that he could take care of her in ways that were impossible for her.

    “But questioning the invitation means questioning the love of our God. Leaving our feet stuck in the mire of sin means refusing the finished work of our Savior.”

    I feel like I could have elaborated more, but this is just something I thought of when reading through these lines today. He has come to take our place and do the work that we can’t do. All we can do is accept and trust.

    1. Mel says:

      That was beautifully put and in such a simple analogy. Thanks for sharing Lauren S.- you have a gift for writing parables!

    2. Tarisai says:

      Lauren, I just love the analogy you’ve used – it hit the nail on the head. Thank you & God bless.

    3. Evelyn Bennett says:

      I love this analogy so much. I’m in nursing school, post hit home with me! sothis

    4. Anna Rose says:

      Wow! That really spoke to my heart.

  41. Jodi says:

    I neeeeeed to repent. I have several faulty ways of thinking crippling me. Like u said, i have been trying to clean up the mess and turn back to Jesus when finished. JESUS! Help me. I surrender. Just prayed this, although Im saved. I’ve been questioning Gods love so much and the invitation. Is it a sin to question God? I realize I cant clean myself up but what do i do going forward?

    1. Jenny O says:

      Thank you Jodi! I’m right there with you

    2. Amanda says:

      Only God knows your heart, but I always think of doubting Thomas when I ask this question of myself. Jesus let Thomas touch his wounds and be sure; he did not make Thomas keep on wondering. We have a jealous God, but we have a God of compassion who does not turn us away. Like the soldier in Mark we can pray, “Lord I believe, but help my unbelief.”

  42. Jenn says:

    “You have seen the dark corners of our hearts…” and yet, He still loves . These words pricked my spirit today and helped me steady my feet as I make the turn – thank you.

    1. LeAnn says:

      It was comforting to know that regardless of the mistakes that i have made, no matter what, He loves me.

    2. She Reads Truth says:

      So thankful for these truths, Jenn. Grateful to read God’s Word together!

      xoxo-Kaitlin

  43. Churchmouse says:

    The honesty of Lent.
    The honesty of David in Psalm 51. ‘A prayer for restoration ” as the heading proclaims.
    David calls it like he is : rebellious, guilty, doing evil. Bathsheba. Uriah.
    A broken spirit is his only offering in light of such grievous sin. He deserves death. He knows it.
    God did not choose David to be an adulterer or a murderer.
    David, a broken man, repents.
    He changes direction. He turns back to His God in order to become the great king of Israel that God chose him to be. He is forgiven.
    My sin blocks me from becoming who He has called me to be: my most complete me, formed with purpose by my Creator.
    I repent. I own my sin.
    I am guilty. I deserve death.
    I give it all to Him at the foot of the cross. I nail it all there. He takes it on Himself in my place.
    And I walk away as His chosen daughter. Free. Forgiven. For always.
    Repentance. Restoration.
    Deep deep gratitude.
    Amazing Grace.
    The fullest life.
    Now. Forever.
    AMEN.

    1. Beanchanged says:

      This is beautifully and simply said, thank you!

    2. She Reads Truth says:

      So thankful for you and your heart, churchmouse!

      xoxo-Kaitlin

  44. Kelsey Olivia says:

    I love how this study points out that we make the choice to turn back, and within that choice we must turn back to the Lord.

  45. Tiari says:

    As hard as it is to admit, I struggle not necessarily with repenting of my sin, but instead, taking advantage of God graciousness and forgiveness. I confessed that sometimes because I know I’m forgiven, I go ahead and have a reaction that is not of Gods way. My heart was convicted by these words: Sin – “It is an offense to God who he loved me faithfully from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5). It is a stripe on the back of the Son who took the guilt of that very offense upon Himself and suffered in my place (Isaiah 53:5).” Wow!! I just pray that today we would experience the weight and suffering of our sins upon the One who loved us and gave His life in our place. That every time we sin it is a stripe on His back. That in each day, each moment even, we would turn to Jesus and choose His way first. Amen!!

  46. Alyssa Stebner says:

    I am so thankful for this season in life. I have been living in a desert by my own doings for to long now and I am so overjoyed each day and filled with His presence. Thank you for putting these awesome studies together!!

    1. She Reads Truth says:

      So grateful for His faithfulness, Alyssa! Praying for your time in God’s Word today!

      xoxo-Kaitlin

  47. Meredith says:

    So encouraged by this. Thank you!

  48. Melanie says:

    I was honestly feeling overwhelmed after reading the devotional as I started thinking about how many things I have to “work on” to be better and be righteous before God…but I felt so much peace when it occurred to me that repentance is not about focusing harder on fixing my sin but rather about turning my eyes towards Jesus and trusting that He is enough for me. It’s so hard to be honest with God sometimes because I’m afraid of failing Him…what a relief to remember He has already won. My job is just to bring Him my heart.

  49. “Repent and turn to Jesus.” Love this so.

  50. Louisa says:

    “I decide I’ll clean up the mess myself, and I refuse to turn back until I’m finished.”
    This is exactly what I’m doing now. I know that what I’m doing is wrong…but I can’t stop, I can’t let go of that comfort.
    Somehow reading this gives me the courage to once again turn back to God and focus on Him only.

    1. LeAnn says:

      “Cleaning up the mess”, we have made many messes…I know i have. I know through this journey of turning away from my sins, that I will lose friends, a lover and whomever. I am willing to do just that. I am willing to let go of relationships. If no one can understand my outlook on life and that I want a better relationship with Christ than away with them.

  51. Esther says:

    I have been convicted a lot lately, and struggle with repentance. The Turning away is hard, but the fact that the Lord already knows my heart and stands ready and waiting to forgive…that breathes life into my soul. I am thankful for the full restoration we have in Christ, trusting in the promises that He is faithful and just to forgive us from our sins and cleanse us from our unrighteousness(1 John 1:9). Even though repentance and turning from sin is a struggle, the grace that comes in this turning is beautiful and freeing. It is amazing to be able to laid bare before our Father, who knows and loves us–beckoning us to remove our masks and run to His embrace. Good words today, sisters–be encouraged!

  52. Kaitlyn says:

    This is exactly what I needed to hear. God will wash me white as snow. God is full of grace and love, we only need to turn to Him.

    1. Holly A. says:

      Amen. The last two lines have me in tears, so beautiful.

  53. Molly Jenkins says:

    “Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

    This verse cannot be swept over and forgotten in the wake of the rest of the passage. It is elemental to the passage. It takes the passage from a place of guilt and shame to one of love and uplifting redemption; setting our focus not on ourselves but on Christ once again. It and the other verses give each other context: shame without hope or joy is severe and pushes us away from God and towards despair under the guise of “following Him”. Joy and happiness on Earth without shame or guilt becomes unaware and self absorbed; consumed by pride and an unwilling stubbornness in refusing to admit wrongdoing or harm. Both elements are necessary. Both most complement each other; absent one, the other draws us to sin and darkness. Together, we fuel our desire to be with God in a way that is much stronger and more enriched than simply feeling happy or blameless all the time for God. It decreases our dependence on feelings of happiness to remain close to God, and works against our inherent desire to hide ourselves from both ourselves and Him when we have done something wrong.

  54. Kimberlee says:

    When I read scripture and devotionals like this it always seems to bring my fear of repentance to the forefront. It’s a vulnerable thing when we confess our guilt and sin to God. Does anyone else struggle with confessing? How can we accept the gift of grace if we can’t first repent?

    1. Laci says:

      Confessing, even just acknowledging, all of it- tough. In fact, today has been one of those days. However, something I’ve been learning lately is to view my sin through the filter of Christ instead of viewing Christ through my sin first. When I view my sin through Christ and understand the weight of it compared to his beauty and sheer perfection, I see that his grace is really what’s saves me. Contrarily, when I view Christ through my sin, my view of Christ is warped and I can never truly see the perfection that He is. Viewing my sin through Christ looks like- “God, YOU are almighty and all powerful. YOU are the one who leads me. I know YOU to be good and pure while I know myself to be broken and full of evil. I know you and I trust you to change me. Please take my heart and forgive me and make me more like YOU so that your kingdom may come through in my life even more. Help me to loosen my grip and give it all to YOU.” It’s that shift of taking my eyes off my sin to putting my eyes on Him. Meanwhile, viewing Christ through my sin looks like… “My sin is too great.” Or, “There’s no point in repenting because I’m just going to do it again.” Just like Amanda said, when we don’t repent we’re actually questioning the love of God. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who call us by his own glory and goodness.” Life and godliness are possible, but only through our knowledge of who HE is, not through our knowledge of who we are. We have to stop our thoughts and remind ourselves of his character. I’m not even sure if any of this makes sense, but I do know that if we pray for him to show us who He is, he will answer and through that we repent. Have a blessed day, Kimberlee!

      1. Laci says:

        Oh and something else, The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges is an awesome read for this!

      2. Brandi says:

        Love this. Thank u!

  55. Peggy says:

    The Holy Spirit convicts. My job is to come out of hiding and say, here I am. Have it your way I will turn rom my ways and honor you.

  56. Sonjadee says:

    I cried when I read this, perhaps because I thought my sins were so terrible I’d never be fully forgiven and accepted by God. Today’s reading was a reminder for me to shed my disguises and “repent, and turn back” I love this

    1. She Reads Truth says:

      Sweet friend! Thanks for joining us today! Praying God continues to pursue you with His love and grace.

      xoxo-Kaitlin

  57. Riley says:

    Today’s reading hit home for me. I think as humans, and especially as believers, it’s easy to carry around guilt for your past and get comfortable in the thought that it’s not possible to be clean again, which can end up with maybe succumbing to the world’s way again. Lent is such a beautiful time to remember that we are God’s. And when we are His, after repentance, our sin is gone. It’s done. We are made new in his image. What a great thing to hear earlier in Lent so that we can take that knowledge with us on our journey.

    1. She Reads Truth says:

      Love this, Riley. Thanks for sharing encouragement with us today!

      xoxo-Kaitlin

      1. Amy says:

        Yes! “a beautiful time to remember that we are God’s.” So grateful that I belong to Him alone.

  58. Leah says:

    Today’s reading opened my eyes to the true meaning of Lent and is making me take stock of the motivations behind my goals for Lent. Lent is not just a chance to redeem my New Year’s resolutions. It’s not a chance for me to earn grace or try to be perfect. There is no Lenten scorecard counting how many times you did that thing you said you wouldn’t. You won’t get a report card in your Easter basket at the end. It’s a time for all of us to quiet ourselves and be refreshed by the presence of God. It’s good to remove things that may be distracting during this time, but your white-knuckled exercise in self control, while possibly beneficial, is not the point. And if you occasionally mess up, don’t berate yourself. Extend grace to yourself, just as Christ extends it to us. Peace be with you and grace from God our sustainer.

    1. Kaz says:

      Leah, thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments. It’s so refreshing to know that God’s mercies are new every morning, because we are of the flesh, we must be reminded. Thank God for lent, and praise God for his faithfulness, and unconditional love.

  59. Joanna says:

    Guilt and shame used to be my best friends. They were also emphasized in my religion growing up. In my experience, I have learned they are not from God. Forgiveness is from God, and He offers it willingly. What helped me transform was prayer; fervent prayer. Once I turn my eyes to Jesus, the temptations become a second thought. Take it from someone who was addicted to sex, alcohol, food, and wordly possessions; change is possible.

  60. Kathy says:

    I am a list maker and it is so easy to turn this call of God to repent into a list of the things I need to change, to stop doing, to start doing and then start checking it all off. God just wants my heart – all of my heart. He doesn’t want my heart after I’ve cleaned it up. He wants it right now when it’s such a mess. These words today are words of comfort for me because God just wants me to come back, to come home. My favorite story in the Bible is the prodigal son and my favorite character is the father. When his son come home he brought out the best. The son protested that he didn’t deserve the best and the father tells him, “who said you had to be worthy, all I wanted was for you to come home.” Once we come home then God does the work of cleaning us up and making us worthy for His kingdom.
    Have a blessed and wonderful weekend.

    1. Bethany says:

      I’m right there with you, Kathy! Let us rest in the truth that the work, the lists, have already been completed for us!

    2. Heather says:

      Prodigal son connection is brilliant. Thanks for sharing! He doesn’t expect perfection, he desires proximity!

  61. Ashley Dawn Sanford says:

    I love the part where you say, “Lent isn’t for dressing up our sin in an effort to make it look less like sin.” I think we often say oh that sin wasn’t that bad… We trap ourself in the lies… May we all turn to Jesus this lent season and let him change us.
    http://www.apileofashes.com

  62. I have become too calloused and indifferent to my sin. Resting in the redemptive work of Jesus comes easy, but I have wrongfully used that resting and allowed myself to become complacent about the habits of sin that are taking root in my heart. Repentance is an active verb and requires a turning back to Jesus that should then compel us to “go and sin no more.” It’s only in His strength and by His grace that I will be able to do this – Jesus, forgive me and create that clean heart David cried out for in me also.

    1. Esther says:

      Hi Alle,
      I am right there with you sister. I find it interesting the point you made about resting in the redemptive work of Jesus, but in doing so allowing yourself to settle into complacency. Yes, I, too, have been there. I like that you said repentance “is an active verb” which requires a turning away from sin and turning to Jesus. This is really a compelling statement and should motivate us to “go and sin no more”. He is faithful and gracious, strengthening us in our weakness…using that very weakness to bring himself glory. That is astounding to me! Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!

  63. Brittany Dawn says:

    Really needed the reminder of turning back to Jesus. I am constantly guilty of trying to fix myself through my own strength. I cannot or never will be righteous before God without Jesus. Thank you God for giving us your son so that I may be right with you even when my heart sins against you time after time. Lent for me is a great time to reflect on building my relationship with God and to bask in the unending love that he has show me. Loved the reading today.

    1. Christina says:

      YES. I feel the same way

  64. Caroline @ In Due Time says:

    Why is that so hard to do? “I am here Lord, under all my disguises”. Lots of good reminders about the importance of confession this week! Thank you. http://www.in-due-time.com

  65. Sarah says:

    Forgive me Lord, for living like I’m not yours. You are the light to my foolish heart.

    I’m here Lord, under all my disguises.
    Listening to this song today in repentance and in the act of turning back to God:
    Forgive Me by Tenth Avenue North
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IEeglv01BCA

    1. Laci says:

      Awesome song! Thanks for sharing, Sarah!

  66. Amy Jane says:

    Tears of joy! Such a beautifully spoken message.

  67. Saiward says:

    Desperately needed reminding that in my sin is where He met me. Not when I have it all together but in the yuck and the grime. And He loves me! He accepts me! I so needed this reminder today. When the world sees my ugly and turns away, God sees it and still invites me in. Eternally grateful. Eternally loved.

  68. Jennifer says:

    Coming off of a break up from a relationship that crumbled due to sin. This word is so good today.

    1. Laci says:

      My heart is saddened for you because I’ve been there as well. God is good and he will heal your heart with his grace. Blessings to you!

  69. Janet says:

    Thank you for this reading today. I saw Psalm 51 in a whole new light! I want David’s neediness for God to purge him, cleanse him, to hide His face from sin, to not cast him away to be my neediness for God, my desire to cling to Him and run to Him when I’ve messed up. And when God had done all that, David rejoiced. And shared the reason for his joy. I want that too. I want to be able to share the joy of repentance, of knowing that my sins are forgiven, the peace that assurance gives, that hope can only be found at the cross. Like David, I want to be able to share that with others.
    Bless you all, and thank you.

  70. Patti says:

    Day 3 – and I’ve learned so much. I’ve wondered what lent was all about. I knew it had to be more than giving up chocolate. Or Facebook. Thank you SRT. I’m loving this study

  71. Hannah says:

    Needed this reminder today! Lent is so much more than a time for glorified New Year’s Resolutions

  72. jenlew06 says:

    @Elizabeth Shaffer- prayer is your answer.

  73. Maria Baer says:

    This past weekend at a women’s conference was such a revelation to me as I struggled with finding out what had been blocking me from a closer relationship with God. And when I realized that I had a deep moly hidden sense of shame for my past as well as a fear that someday God will unforgive me, I was so shocked because I didn’t even know I had this feeling inside of me. I’m so blessed to have a mother who follows Christ and as I cried to her over the phone with my guilt for feeling this way she said something similar “thinking God will unforgive you is like saying His death for our sins was not good enough for us”. Sisters, if I can ask for something today is that you include me in your prayers about this. Now that I know about this feeling inside me, I want to open my heart to God fully and unquestioning. Be blessed.

    1. AJ says:

      @maria, I can completely relate to this fear and I’m praying for the Lord to to be ever present as you let him heal you, and that his tears with yours be a balm to your heart. Lent can be such a beautiful and revealing time and I pray it’s a season of healing for you and all of us!

    2. Elle says:

      Maria, you and Af are both in my prayers.
      God no longer calls you by your past, but by His blood poured out for you. Your new name is Forgiven.
      May you grow to see yourself as the forgiven, cleansed, and free child of God He sees you as.
      For there is NOW NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

      Blessings, Elle

      1. Maria Baer says:

        Ellie and AJ, this is the beautiful of this sisterhood in Christ, isn’t it? That we all are in this together praying for each other as sisters of the same father. Many prayers to you and and for all of us.

    3. Ana Brooks says:

      Father,

      I thank you for revealing an area of my sister’s heart to her. I ask that you would give her courage to fully open her heart, unquestioning, to you.

      In Jesus’ name, amen.

  74. jill-smiles says:

    Praying for you that you will feel peace. I think repentance and turning to God and Jesus is meant to help us know how to lean on his grace and mercy and turn from trying to be perfect by ourselves. God doesn’t want you to agonize over every mistake. He wants us to confess our sin and turn to him. Hoping you can see repentance as a way to free yourself from the pain of guilt and move on with Christ as your helper.

  75. Joyce says:

    Repentance is such a gift.

    I had a horrendous start to my day and guilt was overwhelming me. All I wanted to do was run to Jesus and repent.

    I was tempted to entertain thoughts like “Repent? Slamming a cabinet door isn’t that bad” or even “Just do something really good and it’ll cancel that out!”

    I know how I am. Jesus knows how my heart is. I am so given to displays of anger and frustration that is contrary to the Scriptures inscribed on my heart.

    I prayed and repented before I did today’s reading. I prayed Psalm 51:4, something I do often when I sin. So imagine my delight when I saw it was part of today’s Lent reading plan!

    I remember an Ann Voskamp writing about Lent… about how when we fall short and sin, that’s exactly what Lent is about. It’s about us coming face to face and admitting our faults before the Father.

    I desperately need Jesus. The closer we draw to our Savior, the more the ugliness in our hearts are exposed. But what a good thing! Now we know about them and can repent!

    This is one of my favorite Psalms to pray: But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me” (19:12-13a).

    Praying for all you Shes & Hes today.

    1. Lauryn says:

      Thanks for sharing. I, too, have struggled more with my temper of late. Praying for the Holy Spirit to come and give me His fruit to bear!

  76. Angela says:

    I know that today’s reading only cites Joel 2:12… but Joel 2:13a totally reached out and grabbed me, too. “Rend your heart and not your garments.” This really shows me the importance of my heart vs. just my outward display of repentance.

    1. Lauryn says:

      So good- thanks for sharing. I also love Psalm 51:16-17

  77. ~ B ~ says:

    A genuine repentance can bring about so much change in a heart. It helps to remove pride and leaves us exposed to the elements, making us more empathetic, more in tune to Spirit and more able to see our mistakes, as we make them. It is essential for relationship with Christ. To fully comprehend His level of love and sacrifice over us allows us to bind a loyalty to our savior that creates a desire to do better. I once read this, “And when it’s all laid out in the open, no matter what the page says, no matter how painful our unfaithfulness looks compared to His sovereign faithfulness, all that’s left to see is Christ!” We are a fallible people but our hearts should be so one with Christ that our immediate inclination is to run *to* Him. We should be able to “look at that page” and see our long list of sins, splattered in His innocent blood and lift our eyes from our mess to Him. All that’s left is Christ!

  78. Shannon says:

    Praying for you right now! That’s so hard.

  79. Sooz says:

    After my husband of 32 years died of cancer I asked God not to take my Daddy from too. In exactly 7 months He did take my Daddy home. I went on a two year binge of relentlessly refusing to turn back to Jesus and doing things my own way. I tried to be good on my own and say I had not need for a savior. But in the end I came to see my need for Jesus in a new way and I have turned back. Not to a perfect life mind you because that is impossible in this life but back an acknowledgement of my sin before a holy God. Back to knowing my desperate situation and my very real need of Jesus. Back to believing, even when I do not see it, that Jesus does not just cover my sin but He washes it away. What is better than that?

    1. Carie says:

      Praising God with you and for you Sooz!

  80. Elizabeth Shaffer says:

    I’m still struggling with this… Aren’t we supposed to feel “bad” about our sins? Truly regret that we have committed them in the first place? I honestly have to say that I do feel as though I’m never going to get this right… I want to turn away from sin, I feel it in my heart but I just keep sinning. I feel guilty and I guess this is why I am so confused… If I didn’t feel guilt would I even attempt to change? I have asked God several times to not give up on me, put me on the right path, to forgive me but if I don’t feel guilt and sorrow in my heart for committing sin, how will I ever do my part to change? Any wisdom on this would be greatly appreciated, I’ve been struggling with this and thinking about it often…

    1. Cathy says:

      I feel so guilty when o sin (daily) but what God gives me with repentance is the ability to let it go, not hold onto it so it doesn’t eat me up inside. I am washed clean.

    2. Erin says:

      Remember that God convicts us of our sin but Satan condemns us of it. Conviction is God’s way of bringing us back to Him where we belong – ask God to convict you of the things in your life that you are struggling with. Satan tries to hold our guilt over us – wanting us to think that God won’t forgive us or that He didn’t entirely forgive us. This is false! Conviction brings us to our knees as we repent to God and when we do He forgives us and wipes it away! The devil always wants us to doubt so that we don’t appropriate what is ours. God longs to be merciful. Don’t allow Saran to help guilt back on to you!

    3. Christy says:

      I think the answer lies in examining the source of change in your life – if you are “working on” improving your choices and “fixing” your sins, you’re still trying to do life on your own power rather than relying on the power of Christ. In this case, you’ll just fall into a cycle of striving, failure, guilt, despair, repeat. However, in repentance, we acknowledge that we can never fix ourselves. The only thing we can do is lean more and more into God, trusting in and relying on Him with everything we have and are. From that place of childlike trust, the result (our changed mindset and subsequent behavior) will naturally flow, effortlessly. A question to ask yourself: when you find yourself in sin, is your immediate reaction to try to fix it or to pray? That will reveal the state of your heart. Fix less; pray more and let Him fix you.

    4. Alicia says:

      Hi Elizabeth! I’ve certainly struggled with identifying with the guilt of sin. I wrestled with feelings of guilt versus walking in the freedom that Christ paid on the cross! The reality is- guilt is NOT from God (Romans 8:1) and neither is shame! I think the enemy uses those & manipulates them to keep us captive, to lure us into wallowing in our sin. The truth of it is, we who have received salvation through the work of Jesus & this death and resurrection have been baptized with His Holy Spirit. And it is the Holy Spirit who will convict of us our sin, and lead us to repentance. And it is there when we turn, yes we see the ugliness of our sin, but it’s met by the face of Jesus who pours out unspeakable love, grace & forgiveness that the shame/guilt flee immediately and we are left to receive His kindness (that leads us to repentance). Hope this encourages you this morning! Jesus didn’t suffer as He did so that He would remain chained to our sins through guilt/shame, but He came to set us free (fully & completely!)- Amen to that!!

    5. Caro says:

      Dear Elizabeth, I also agreed that guiltiness comes from the enemy and conviction from the Spirit in order to come back to Jesus. So he can restore our hearts. Now, turning back to Jesus is a process. We have to make steps to cut the root of our sin. Which at the beginning can be very difficult. Stop satisfying our worldly desires and pay attention of what is leading us to sin. This is not easy. We have to make a commitment to avoid it, to flee from it, to make a war against it. This is the difficult part. We can’t do this on our own. We have to depend on God’s Spirit, so He can empower us to say no. There are diverse disciplines that have helped me to do that. Prayer, fasting, reading the bible, solitude, silence, worship, etc. But the most powerful for me (and most difficult is fasting) I have to battle with this every day I need to understand that I can’t do it by my own. I have to discipline my body, make God my priority, and be proactive filling myself with the Spirit so my wisdom, and desire to please God increases and my worldly desires fade away. It is a war and we have the victory in Christ if we depend on the Spirit to help us to resist. Otherwise it becomes a vicious cycle. We repent and wait for him to remove the desire, but it will never go away unless we take steps to fill our thoughts with his Word and Love. That is why Joel 2:12 exhorts us: Turn to me with all your heart WITH FASTING, weeping, and mourning. When we fast we are telling our flesh, you are not ruling anymore. I am humbling myself to the authority of Jesus Christ letting the Spirit to reign in me so I can re-direct my path towards Him. It is not easy. I found myself negotiating this SO many times, but I am so sick of the sin stealing the joy of my life, distracting me from my calling and robbing me the peace I always long for that I have to hold on and pray that God will bring me back to him and restore the specific area of my life. I pray for you today that you will come closer to God’s presence, knowing that He loves you and all he wants is to restore your soul.

    6. Ash G says:

      Elizabeth, I share your struggle. I wonder the same and often. But some things I’ve come to find are these. There is a difference between worldly grief and godly sorrow. Worldly grief leads nowhere but despair and puts us right back into the “I’ll fix me” cycle. Godly sorrow is conviction and is indeed important and a gift from the Holy Spirit that draws us back to God. I think it’s what we do with that “guilt” or conviction that matters most. Do we bow before our Savior and thank Him for the grace and mercy He shows us? Do we ask HIM to change our hearts? Or do we wallow? And try to fix ourselves? Matt Chandler says in his series A Beautiful Design, something along the lines of ‘Knowing who we are is the best way to get where Jesus wants to take us’. And I think this connects to what you’re saying and asking here. Knowing we are sinful and confronting our sin or being confronted by it should make us look to God. And there we can see who we are in His eyes. Sinful yet
      forgiven. Broken yet whole in Christ. Understanding this allows us to cry out to God to change our hearts while actively seeking to obey Him. Study His word. Pray to Him. I’m not sure how helpful these thoughts are but I encourage you to keep laying these things before Him, Elizabeth.

    7. Ana Brooks says:

      You are not alone in this, Elizabeth. I am too questioning all these things. Prayers for you—for all of us—who desire for clarity and wisdom from God; who desire *God.* <3

  81. Emily says:

    I love this explanation of repentance! I am saving it to share with others! itshare with others

  82. Kristine says:

    I love that the scripture today asks God to “create” a pure heart , a new heart. Not same old heart with the same problems, but a whole new one, a heart after God. A heart that loves like God, wants what God wants. That’s the heart I want. Blessings today, lovely SRT ladies!

    1. I love that imagery, too!

    2. Megan says:

      I needed to hear that. Thank you!

  83. Megan Callahan says:

    This. I needed this. I find myself standing at a crossroads in this very thing. Do I choose sin or repentance? Lord Jesus, give us strength and courage to change and turn to you.

    1. Ashley Dawn Sanford says:

      amen.

  84. candacejo says:

    I’ve always thought of repentance as a soldier doing an “about-face”. A complete turn-around, a “don’t go there” type of change. Whatever you were doing that has caused you to come to God in repentance? Forevermore turn away from it and do not repeat it. Because it is easy, sometimes, to say we are sorry, to cry the crocodile tears but to actually turn away from our sin? That is another matter altogether.

    And we need Jesus.

    That’s what encourages me the most in prayer. I have to do my part in repentance for sure but to know that HE is there to help me NOT “go there” again is all the difference in the world. The power of the Holy Spirit within us gives us the power to overcome as Jesus overcame.

    Rejoicing in these truths today and coming before Him with a humble and repentant heart. ♥

    1. Christy says:

      Yes sister! Repentance is the changed state of our heart, not our outward actions. Rather, our actions will change through the power of God as a reaction to a changed heart.

  85. Tracy says:

    “I’m here Lord, under all my disguises.”. This will be my Lent prayer! Great thoughts for today, I enjoy starting my day with these wise words and the Word of God! Praying everyone reading this study will be blessed and bare their souls and sins to God, for His Greater Glory to work within all of us.

  86. Laura Marie says:

    Could use some advice regarding today’s reading. I struggle with perfectionism OCD. Before I got medical help, one of my compulsions was to constantly pray for forgiveness for all of the “sins” I committed each day. Anytime I did something less than perfectly, no matter how minor, I felt tremendous guilt like I had ruined God’s plan for me. Now that I’m in recovery, I struggle with the concept of sin, period. With notable exceptions like abuse, assault, murder, theft, etc. I really believe now that very few people sin on a regular basis, and that the church encourages guilt for natural human emotions, reactions, and psychological addictions. 

    I truly have nothing to repent for this Lent. If I really stretch, I guess I can think of a few things, but are they really sins? I yelled at my husband a few days ago…after he didn’t do something I asked him to do and that he said he would do. Natural human reaction. I had a mental fantasy about an attractive male friend. Natural human reaction that proves I actually have a libido. My mother and I gossip about my cousin to each other…because she has said hurtful things about us and we need to confide in someone about it. I had two desserts at dinner – old me would have said that is gluttonous but current me acknowledges that the sugar got me hooked and that if I don’t eat sugar for a couple of days I won’t have anymore cravings. 

    Yet, OCD me would have agonized over these things. I’m a terrible sinner, I’m no good and can never be good, I will always be a terrible person. Only God is great – I am worthless. The concept of repenting for sin sent me into terrible anxiety and then depression. 

    Of course, if I physically cheated on my spouse, or spread lies, or stole those desserts, those are sins. But that’s not what happened, and I can’t be a slave to OCD anymore and feel shame. 

    Thoughts?

    1. Kim says:

      Laura Marie, while you may have a medical condition that causes you to focus on sin and its consequences, many people who grow up in the church and “religion” have a sin consciousness that makes them miserable as well. All of the things you described are what people who are more concerned with doing right or not doing wrong struggle with. The only remedy is to focus on the grace of God. It is only because of Jesus’ sacrificial work on the cross that we should even be allowed in His presence. Even though you can’t think of a “big” sin that you committed since your last confession, it only took the very first one to make you unfit for the presence of the most holy God. But, praise be to the Father that He doesn’t see ANY of your sins once you have asked forgiveness and accepted Christ’s work on the cross. Your sins are forgiven–past, present, and future. The only requirement is that you believe, not that you confess daily. Please know these words are not meant to say that I know everything and just sit on my glory cloud. I just wanted to give you a different perspective that comes from a place of freedom. Remember Jesus did not come to condemn the world but that the world may be saved through Him. So know condemnation is always of the devil….God is in the business of freedom!! Stay strong in your walk and continue to pursue Him for He is faithful.

    2. Kelsey says:

      I love that you’ve found healing! I agree that the church often does a psychological number on those of us with sensitive spirits (I’ve been there too!)
      I’m still working through what it means to repent, but I love the idea of turning to Jesus, resting in knowing him, and allowing him to lead me closer to who he created me (individually!) to be. It sounds like that is exactly what you’ve been working on! Stay sensitive and open to Gods word to you, and know that guilt is never from Him- only freedom!

    3. Becky says:

      Laura, my heart hurts so much for you while I’m reading this. It sounds like your view of sin and repentance was actually healthier before you started getting “help” than it is now. The Bible clearly says that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; it doesn’t just mention those who have killed or cheated on their spouses or lied, etc. Every time we disobey God – not just the obvious 10 commandments He gave to Moses and the Israelites, but any time we do anything that is not in line with His heart – it is sin. So when we have lustful thoughts but don’t act on them, our minds are still sinning against God’s healthy and perfect plan for relationships. When we yell at someone – even as justified as we think we are – it is anger taking over (and the Bible says “in your anger do not sin”) and it is sin. When we speed as we’re driving our cars down the road, we’re disobeying a law that our government has set in place, and Romans says that “everyone should submit himself to the governing authorities” – so yes, even speeding is sin. Every day there are hundreds of things we do that separate us from God, BUT God, who is rich in mercy, forgives us of our sins if only we will confess them to Him. He WANTS to be close to us and for us to be close to Him, but the only way that can happen is for someone to bridge the “sin gap” for us; and that’s where Jesus comes in. Romans says that “if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
      I’d encourage you to spend a lot of time in Romans – look at what Paul has to say about sin and grace and forgiveness, let some of those words sink into your heart. Pray that God would reveal to you areas in your life in which you have sinned or are sinning, confess those things to Him, repent of them, and change your behaviors and practices so you don’t do them anymore. God desires nothing more from His children than that they come draw near to Him.

      1. Lizzy says:

        While I agree with much of what you’ve said, please be mindful that obsessive compulsive disorder is a real mental illness that requires help. When a person is unable to see life and God clearly because of their mental illness, it is unhealthy. Continually obsessing over every single thing that could be (or even is) a sin, and unable to control your own thoughts and emotions is a terrible thing to go through, and it sucks every ounce of joy out of your relationship with God. You view God as a cruel, Pharisaical ruler, who MIGHT forgive you IF you repent exactly right. Your brain is not working normally when you have obsessive compulsive disorder. Please be more cautious when dealing with mental health problems – God created each of us differently, and our fallen world affects us in very different ways.

        It is NOT healthy to be so focused on sin and self-hatred that you cannot see God’s light anymore. We can agree to disagree on how mental health in Christians should be treated, but getting help and treatment was absolutely the right thing to do. All of us struggle with the reality of sin, but there are limits to what we should struggle through on our own.

        1. Becky says:

          I did not in any way mean to diminish the physical/mental disorder. I’m sorry if it came across that way. I do understand that having an OCD view of sin is not healthy, but was referring more to the spiritual understanding of sin than the affects on the physical/mental parts of life. Lizzy and Laura (and anyone else reading this), I’m sorry for not saying that more clearly and not explaining myself better the first time around, and for any additional hurt that may have caused.

      2. Mantombi says:

        Beautiful Becky.

    4. Ginger says:

      The Bible clearly teaches that”all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”–not just murderers and other egregious criminals. To react “naturally” often is to act sinfully because all of us are born with a sin nature. Our standard isn’t goodness — it’s holiness. When I recognized my own perfectionism as sin, then I saw that my desire for perfection outside of Christ was the issue. By trying to live in my own strength, I denied
      grace and trivialized the Cross.
      I pray that as you study the Word, the Holy Spirit will guide you in all truth. May you experience His love, grace, and freedom that comes with repentance.

    5. Lizzy says:

      Hey, I empathise – I had a similar problem with perfectionism/OCD/worrying about ruining God’s plan.

      So first of all, no matter WHAT happens, God’s plan is never ruined, because God knew it all before we were born. God being God, He can see the big picture of humanity but also every single hateful thought in our hearts that may never affect anyone else, but every sin affects our hearts and our relationship with God.

      One thing I found helpful during my own struggle with perfectionism was to change the way I thought of how God views humanity. All my life, I had been taught that humanity is ruined, but I heard one sermon where the speaker called humanity “glorious ruins”. Yes, we may be ruins of what was meant to be, but we are still glorious! We are still created to love and know and worship God! God still chose us! That is beautiful! Really think on that – think of ruins you’ve seen, like castles or old, old houses, or anything like that – it’s ruined, yes, but how glorious they are still because we know what they could have been and that beauty and loveliness still lives in the bones of it!

      For particular stuff… I don’t know. I think that angry words and sexual lust and gossip are all wrong and sinful (though I am as guilty as you!!) but like you, I don’t believe we need to repent of every sin – in fact, I think trying to do so undermines the grace of God. If I sit down at the end of each day, begging for forgiveness for every single sin, am I really trusting in God’s grace? Am I really viewing God as a loving Father who doesn’t need burnt offerings and sacrifices, but who just wants my honest, broken, bleeding, hopeless, miserable self, and WANTS to give me all the grace He can? I don’t think so. I don’t think we do view Him that way when that’s our response to sin. Our response I think should be a daily gratitude for His love, kindness, forgiveness, and mercy.

      Your OCD self, I would argue, focused too much on herself and her failings, rather than on God and His forever love and grace. I would say that by beating yourself up continually over the slightest things, you mistrusted God and acted as though you could cleanse yourself by making a burnt offering of your self-worth and the beauty God sees in your soul. We all do it to some extent, and believe me when I say I am among the worst of sinners in this. All that I’ve written are things I regularly remind myself.

      It’s a lie to tell yourself that you have nothing to come to God for, though. I won’t use the word repent, as I think it has more serious emotional weight than necessary to you, but the only person who could come to Lent and stand tall before God is Jesus Christ, and I’m fairly certain you aren’t Him. :) Sins are not just physical actions, but at the same time, I won’t sit here and try to think up things you might have done wrong, but maybe you could read over your comment again, pray over your life and yourself, and ask God to reveal to you what He wants to teach you this season. God knows your heart far better than me, and even better than you!

      Don’t fall into the trap of despair – Jesus has rescued you. Don’t let yourself carry the mud and shit and dirt along with you in your new life. Equally, don’t let yourself wave Jesus’s sacrifice away.

    6. Emily Cele says:

      Lots of advice here, Laura Marie. I would only add to pray for Jesus to create in you a clean heart. And go to His Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, where He outlines very clearly what that clean heart is. Praying for peace and healing for you and discernment of the Holy Spirit.

    7. Elizabeth Weightman says:

      Dear Laura Marie, I too have OCD and struggle with the concept of sin and forgiveness within this context. Personally, I have always had compulsive thoughts where I fear I will do (or have already done) something awful to someone (usually those I love most). So my struggles with repentance have been questions like, Are my thoughts really sinful? Or is it just this sickness called OCD? Do I need to repent of this and if I do, sometimes the OCD part of me fears that I’ll be acknowledging that I’ve actually done these things I dread…
      So while my experience as far as fears and obsessions has been different to yours, I think we can still both take comfort in what the other ladies have already said: that we are ALL sinful (whether we understand everything we have done or can remember etc or even if our mental health confuses us sometimes as to what is false and what is reality!!) but that Jesus has well and truly paid the price to take away our sin, and not only that, but we are actually covered in his perfect righteousness.
      I think the temptation for you and me is to try remove the whole concept of sin, in an effort to remove our OCD, when instead I think it’s better if we cling to what the Bible says about sin and forgiveneas and keep reminding ourselves (as the others said) that guilt and despair is never from God, and neither is OCD… My great comfort on all this is actually that what the Bible says is true and one day, we’ll be in Heaven where there will be no more crying and pain and death and sleepless nights and compulsions and depression and OCD!!! I hope this is helpful and encouraging. With love and empathy, Elizabeth. xx

    8. Laura Marie says:

      Thank you all for your words and advice. It means a lot to me that you replied!

  87. Lianette says:

    Todays reading has dropped me to my knees. I so much needed this.

    1. She Reads Truth says:

      Thanks for joining us, Lianette! Praying for your time in God’s Word today!

      xoxo-Kaitlin

  88. Tammy says:

    To me it shows how much God loves us and wants us to be with him always as he is with us, I feel like he wants us to confess our sin like a child to their parents so he can help us grow .

  89. Carly B says:

    So many great thoughts to reflect on here. I will also be coming back to this later.
    The topic of repentance is one I always find difficult. I understand it in theory but in practice I sometimes feel like I have to sort it out myself or do something to make up for my sin.
    I’m struck by David’s prayer- that he comes before God with absolutely nothing to offer. He doesn’t try to defend what he’s done or try to sort it out- he simply appeals to God’s love, mercy and compassion. And rather than trying to make up for it, he looks to God to cleanse him and purify him. I love the reminder that God not only cleanses us from sin but dresses us in a robe of righteousness.
    As I say, I get the theory- I just pray that this truth would sink deeper into my heart today.

    1. Deb says:

      Yes, Lord, help it sink deeper into my soul today!

    2. Duprejg says:

      Very well said!

    3. Hillary Vaught says:

      I find myself in this place this morning too, how do we recognize our sin fully and let the the depth of it hit us? I know I’m a sinner but so many times I can brush it off as not a big deal or everyone does it. I want to start my Lenten season truly aware of my sin and see where God leads

      1. Shelby says:

        I’m stuck in this same place, too. I’m finding it difficult to recognize the way I hurt Him every time I sin; I focus on trying to find my own control and my own solutions. I’m finding great comfort knowing God is pointing out these weaknesses in all of our hearts, and uniting us in His name for the Lenten season.

        1. Ana Brooks says:

          I am sharing in that comfort along with you Shelby. We are not alone!

    4. Ana Brooks says:

      I prayed that for you, Carly!

  90. Casie says:

    Is the repentance for our benefit? To see our need for Him?

    1. Susan says:

      Or maybe so nothing can separate us from Him. Because sin does that.

  91. Casie says:

    If God already knows our heart, why does he call us to repent?

    1. Kelly S says:

      Casie, He knows. Repentance is not to report our offenses to God. Repentance does two things. It causes us to acknowledge our sin and it removes the barrier sin creates between God and man.

      Consider a child who disobeys his mother. She calls him out and identifies the offense. He looks at her, acknowledges with eye contact that he heard her words, and turns to carry on with his play. The child has not given Mom any indication that he knows he has broken the rules. He has not offered an apology for breaking the rules. And he has placed distance between himself and his mom by allowing that offense to remain unaddressed. Mom still loves him. She will still care for him. But she cannot fully trust him or be sure of his fidelity to her as long as that offense remains unresolved.

      This analogy has its holes as I used two flawed humans to describe the love and holiness of God. The fact remains: God is holy and cannot tolerate sin. As believers, we are covered in the blood of Jesus and have His righteousness which allow us (sinners) to experience intimacy with a holy God. To neglect repentance is to enter into this most sacred relationship flippantly, with little regard for the great sacrifice that was made to garner our righteousness. Repentance prepares our hearts for worship and intimacy with a holy God. Repentance is a fragrant offering of gratitude to a God who sacrificed His own Son on our behalf. Repentance is an agreement with God over His laws and our flaws. Repentance is a cry for help to die to our flesh so that we may out on the righteousness of Christ. Repentance is a gift, not a burden.

      1. Kelda says:

        Thanks Kelly that was wonderfully explained!

      2. Steph H says:

        Beautifully written…

      3. Casie says:

        Kelly – thank you so much for this wonderful answer!
        Thank

      4. Mantombi says:

        Beautiful response ❤

  92. katrina evans says:

    once again such an inspirational post that really gets me thinking. its early hee in the uk and i feel that i need to read this post again later on in the day, there so much advice and so much to take in and so obvious to us that all we need is to repent and turn back to our Almighty Lord Jesus, the one who made us and who died for us.
    I too find it very easy and comfortable to fall into the ways of this world, to forget to pick up my bible, to forget to pray and forget to take to my Lord. i think i can handle everything on my own when in reality i simply cant.
    So today i give up Lord and i hand it all over to you, please forgive me and welcome me back to you
    in your mighty name my Lord Jesus amen xxxxx

  93. Alice Carroll says:

    ‘While on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by. ‘ O Lord, rescue me still.

  94. Nicole says:

    This is what I needed tonight