The words repent and repentance mean different things in your Christian walk than they might in the natural realm.
An internet search of the word “repentance’ brings up the synonyms of “contrition,” “remorse.” “regret,” and even such words as “guilt,” “shame,” or “self-reproach.” My purpose of using the words repent and repentance could not be further from making you feel guilty, ashamed or full of self-reproach.
To the Christian believer repentance is so much more than contrition or feeling bad about a thought, belief, or action. To the Jesus Follower, repentance acknowledges a thought, belief, or action that the person desires to “turn away from.”
When you repent you rearrange your way of thinking, feeling, believing, and/or acting IN ORDER TO put it in the past and walk forward with a new mindset and a new way of living.
Friday I asked you to recognize the stories and self-limiting beliefs that are ingrained in you. I had you then ask the Lord to show you which followed His truth and those that were lies from the enemy. Great job! That’s a big first step!
You might be pondering how it was that you came to believe those lies. I suggest if any person or situation comes up that spoke those lies to you, go back to the steps of forgiveness.
Both unforgiveness and believing lies of the enemy opens the spiritual/heart door to the influence of the enemy. He would like nothing more than to keep you off balance and off the path of living more completely as who God created you to be.
The way to close the doors to the enemy’s influence is to forgive others and to repent for agreeing with the lies of the enemy.
It is time to close the door and repent for believing the lies.
Go to your list of stories, beliefs, etc. that Holy Spirit highlighted as NOT from Him and repent.
The words are simply. The act not always easy. Remember that Jesus is there with you guiding you and holding your hand. Your sentences may look something like these:
“Lord, I repent of believing the lie that I am not worthy of success.”
“Lord, I repent of believing the lie that I am ugly.”
“Lord, I repent of believing the lie that I will never amount to anything.”
“Lord, I repent of believing the lie that I am not ______________________ enough.’
By saying these words, you repent of walking in agreement with the the enemy.
If this feels too difficult, let me remind you of the words of the apostle John.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (emphasis mine)
Often while showing you the lies, God automatically shows you His truth. Hallelujah! He is showing you in greater measure who He created you to be. He is showing you your amazing future as you soar in greater freedom.
Hallelujah!