Is repentance a change of mind or a turning from sin?

Answer

Technically, repentance involves a change of mind, not just a turning from sin. The Greek term for “repentance” is metanoia, which simply means “a change of mind.” However, in everyday language, we often refer to repentance as “turning from sin.” This is for a specific reason.

Repentance is frequently linked with salvation in the Bible. When the Holy Spirit initiates the process of leading a person to salvation, what occurs? The Spirit grants the individual a personal comprehension and unwavering conviction that the truths about their spiritual condition are accurate. These truths include their personal sins, the eternal punishment they deserve for those sins, the substitutionary aspect of Jesus’ suffering for their sins, and the necessity of placing faith in Jesus for deliverance from sin. Through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”, (John 16:8), the individual repents—altering their perspective—regarding sin, the Savior, and salvation.

When a repentant individual changes their perspective on sin, this shift naturally leads to a turning away from sin. Sin no longer holds appeal or enjoyment because it leads to condemnation. The repentant sinner starts to detest their past wrongdoings. They then begin seeking ways to rectify their behavior (see Luke 19:8). Consequently, the outcome of this change in perspective on sin is manifested through good deeds. The individual turns from sin towards faith in the Savior, and this faith is demonstrated through actions (see James 2:17).

The change of mind (repentance) is not identical to actively turning away from sin and visibly performing good deeds, but one progression leads to the other. Thus, repentance is connected to turning from sin. When individuals refer to repentance as a turning from sin (rather than a change of mind), they are employing a figure of speech known as metonymy. In metonymy, repentance is used as a symbol for the broader process of transformation and renewal.Onymy, the name of a concept is replaced with a word suggested by the original.

Metonymy is quite common in everyday language. For example, news reports that begin, “The White House issued a statement today,” are using metonymy, as the name for the building where the President lives is substituted for the name of the President himself.

In the Bible, we can see other examples of metonymy. In Mark 9:17, the father states that his son has “a mute spirit” (NKJV). The evil spirit itself is not mute. The evil spirit causes the boy to be mute. The spirit is named after the effect it produces: a mute child. The metonymy here replaces the cause with the effect. Similarly, using the word repentance to mean “a turning from sin” replaces the cause with the effect. The cause is repentance, a change of mind; the effect is a turning away from sin. A word is replaced by a related concept. That’s metonymy.

In summary, repentance is a change of mind. But the full biblical understanding of repentance goes beyond that. In relationship to salvation, repentance is a change of mind from an embrace of sin to rejection of sin and from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ. Such repentance is something only God can enable (John 6:44;Acts 11:18;2 Timothy 2:25). Therefore, true biblical repentance will always result in a change of behavior. Maybe not instantly, but inevitably and progressively.