The First Steps to Repentance

I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
–Psalm 51:3

In my Bible, the superscription above Psalm 51 reads: “A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.” In this psalm, we see the steps David exercised to move from guilt to repentance. When you feel separated from God and others because of guilt, I encourage you to take these same steps in your life.

First of all, David acknowledged his sin as sinful. He wrote, “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. . . . For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:1, 3). David didn’t mince words; in fact, he even described his actions as “evil” (v. 4). If you want to move from guilt to repentance, then you need to agree with God that your behavior was sinful.

Second, David accepted responsibility for his sin. Notice the pronouns in verse 2: “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (emphasis mine). David didn’t blame his actions on Bathsheba, his upbringing, or the pressures of being king. He didn’t blame anything or anyone but himself. You’ll never find the pathway to repentance until you’re willing to accept responsibility for your sins.

If you can’t think of any shortcomings in your life right now, I encourage you to pray Psalm 139:23–24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; . . . and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” In my experience, this is a prayer God always answers. Ask Him to point out any sin in your relationship with Him, your relationships with others, your responsibilities, your personal habits, and your priorities. Have you made any promises to God that you haven’t kept? Do you need to apologize for hurtful words to a family member or friend? Are there any sinful habits you need to quit or godly habits you need to begin? Is it time for you to put your trust in God instead of your bank account?

If we’re going to conquer the mountain of guilt, we have to accept responsibility for our sins. Tomorrow, we’ll see what it looks like to claim God’s forgiveness and move to repentance.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “Moving from Guilt to Repentance,” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2021.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.