The Greek word for repentance is (G3331) μετάνοια metánoia, which means a change of mind/heart/opinion, etc. This is a 180° change.
Examples:
- King David raped Bathsheba and ordered her husband, Uriah, to be murdered. God, through the prophet Nathan, rebukes him. He confesses his sin, asks forgiveness, and never does it again. You can read his confession in Psalm 51.
- King Manasseh of Israel is evil, 2 Chronicles 33:9 (NKJV) “So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.” After he was captured, hauled to Babylon, and thrown in prison, he comes to his senses, confesses his sin, asks forgiveness, and never does it again. He also lives a life of change from evil to obeying the Mosaic Law. You can read all this in 2 Chronicles 33.
- The parable of the Prodigal Son. The youngest son leaves home after demanding his share of the inheritance, sins greatly, and suffers the consequences. He comes to his senses, forsakes his sin, goes home to confess his sin, and ask his father for forgiveness. You can read this in Luke 15:11-32.
Repentance is a change of mind. This will be seen in guilt. Remorse is not repentance (Matthew 27:3-5). Repentance will be seen in a person humbling themself, willing to forsake sin, calling out for God’s forgiveness, and trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. If one is already a believer, then it is humbling oneself, confessing sin, asking forgiveness, making restitution if necessary, and “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Also, Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV) “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Reasons people do not repent:
- Pride—“I’m good enough; I trust in ____; I believe ____, not Jesus; I don’t need this crap; I’m a good person; God is love, He’ll forgive me; I’ve done more good than evil, so no problem.”
- Love of sin—“I’m not going to stop ____ (Proverbs 2:12-15 and Proverbs 21:10); enjoying the praise of others (John 12:42-43); and enjoying riches (Psalm 52).
- Refuse to believe the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:12).
No one can repent on their own; it is impossible. It takes a sovereign act of God to open up one’s eyes and heart to their lost, evil, condemned condition (John 16:8 and Acts 16:14).
To be saved from the wrath of God is only possible if one calls on the name of the Lord and puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone.