REPENT: How Turning from Sin Leads to Spiritual Growth

Erin Long
Jun 23
3 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

This post is inspired by Joey Cook's sermon on 6/22/2025

“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.”Acts 3:19

Repentance is not about shame or punishment, it’s about transformation. It’s the process by which we turn away from sin and toward God, allowing His Spirit to renew and grow us. True repentance is not just sorrow, it’s surrender. And when we surrender, God begins a deep work of change in our hearts.

Using the acronym R.E.P.E.N.T. we can identify six key areas where repentance brings freedom, healing, and growth:

R — Rebellion

Rebellion is the posture of resisting God’s authority in our lives, choosing our way over His. It might look like disobedience, hidden sin, or ignoring His promptings.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6)

Repentance from rebellion realigns us with God's leadership and brings peace where there was striving. Like the prodigal son (Luke 15), turning back to the Father leads to restoration and joy.

E — Exaltation (Pride)

Pride exalts self instead of honoring God. It convinces us that we don’t need help, that we can earn righteousness, or that we are better than others.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Repenting from pride opens our hearts to receive grace. David models this in Psalm 51:17: “a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

P — Prejudice

Prejudice is the sin of partiality, judging or dismissing others based on appearance, background, or culture. It undermines the unity Christ died to give His Church.

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” (James 2:8)

Repentance here leads to reconciliation and a deeper love for the diverse body of Christ.

E — Envy

Envy is the quiet thief of joy. It resents the blessings others receive and doubts God's goodness toward us.

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:16)

When we repent of envy, we learn to celebrate others and trust that God hasn’t forgotten us. Growth begins when we stop comparing and start abiding.

N — Neglect

Sometimes the sin isn’t what we do, but what we fail to do. Neglecting prayer, Scripture, community, or serving others weakens our spiritual life.

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

Repentance from neglect reignites our relationship with God and reorients our priorities. Like Peter after his denial, Jesus invites us back to love and purpose (John 21).

T — Trusting Idols

Idols aren’t just statues, they're anything we rely on more than God: success, relationships, comfort, or control.

“Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.” (Psalm 115:8)

Turning from idols and trusting Jesus alone brings true freedom. He alone satisfies the hunger in our hearts.

The Promise of Repentance

Repentance isn’t a punishment, it’s an invitation. It’s how God restores what sin tries to steal. As we turn from sin in these six areas: Rebellion, Exaltation, Prejudice, Envy, Neglect, and Trusting Idols, we don’t just leave sin behind. We grow. We heal. We become more like Christ.

So today, ask yourself: