WEDNESDAY February 11, 2026
What Is True Repentance?
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord....”
Acts 3:19
How can you tell if someone has truly repented? A person who has truly repented has a change of heart. The fruit of repentance is seen in their actions. In Ephesians 4:28, we are told: Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
Zacchaeus was a rich, chief tax collector who stole from the people. Yet he was curious and wanted to see who Jesus was. So being short in stature, he decided to climb a sycamore tree. Jesus looked up at him and said: “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus was surprised. He opened his home and willingly ministered to the Lord. His heart was flooded with joy! Others, seeing what happened, complained about Jesus going to the home of a sinner; but that is exactly why Jesus came––to save sinners!
How do we know that Zacchaeus really repented? He called Jesus Lord, and then gave half of his goods to the poor. He started giving and sharing––he made things right. He promised to return the stolen money to people, fourfold. His repentance was genuine, because we see a complete transformation in his life (Luke 19:1-10).
Repentance happens when a person becomes convicted by the Holy Spirit. They feel a deep remorse and guilt over what they have done. There is a sorrow and brokenness over their sin. When there is true repentance, God will honor, forgive, and cleanse a sinner from their sin.
If you are still stealing, lying, committing adultery, and fornicating––sinning––then you have not truly repented. Jesus said to the hypocritical Pharisees “...bear fruits worthy of repentance...” (Matthew 3:8). Examine your life. Have you truly repented?
Most Christians never associate joy with repentance. But repentance is actually the mother of all joy in Jesus. Without it, there can be no joy. Yet, any believer who walks in repentance will be flooded with the joy of the Lord.
~David Wilkerson~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
