Menkato V Awomi
The word repentance comes from the Greek word metanoia, which literally means a change of mind. This meaning is foundational, yet it is often misunderstood. Both in secular and biblical usage, metanoia refers to a shift in thinking—a complete turning of one’s inner perspective. In the biblical sense, it means turning from false beliefs to God’s truth, from deception to revelation, and from self-centered thinking to Christ-centered thinking.
And when this change of mind takes place, a change in action naturally follows. True repentance is not behavior modification; it is mind transformation, and behavior is simply the fruit of that transformation.
The Great Misunderstanding of Repentance
From the early church until today, repentance in the process of salvation has been widely mis-taught. Many churches have taught people that repentance means to first change their actions, clean up their behavior, and then deal with the heart and mind later. This approach is not only exhausting—it is unbiblical.
The Bible never teaches that transformation begins with actions. It teaches that transformation begins with truth.
Repentance is the process of changing our minds by coming to know:
- Who God Truly Is,
- What His Intentions Are For Us,
- What He Has Done For Us Through Christ,
- And What He Has Already Given Us By Grace.
As this truth is believed, the mind begins to renew. The veil of deception—placed by Satan, religious systems, and human traditions—is torn down. When the mind is renewed, behavior aligns with the new way of thinking. This is God’s design for true repentance in salvation.
Renewed Mind, Transformed Life
The Apostle Paul makes this unmistakably clear:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
— Romans 12:2
Paul did not say, “Be renewed by transforming your actions.”He said, “Be transformed by renewing your mind.”
Why? Because Paul understood human weakness. He knew we cannot transform ourselves through effort or discipline alone. Only the truth of God’s Word, when believed, can renew our thinking about God, sin, righteousness, and identity. And only this renewal can produce true transformation.
Beware of Human Traditions
Paul warned the church about this very danger:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition… rather than on Christ.”
— Colossians 2:8
In Colossae, people were being pressured to act in the flesh to achieve salvation. Paul called it deception. The same deception is still alive today.
And Paul’s warning to the Galatians is even stronger:
“If anyone preaches a gospel other than the one you accepted, let them be under God’s curse.”
— Galatians 1:8–9
Why such seriousness? Because the true Gospel is about changing the mind from law to grace, from flesh to Spirit, from self to Christ. Any gospel that shifts focus from Christ’s finished work back to human effort is a false gospel.
Repentance Is Not Emotionalism
Repentance does not mean crying at the altar, beating your chest, or shouting “Jesus, Jesus” while remaining unchanged. You can do all that and still go home the same.
True repentance is the change of mind from flesh to Spirit, from doing to done, from self-effort to God’s Word.
Jesus said:“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
Many remain in sin not because they lack emotion, but because they lack truth. Emotional repentance without mind renewal produces only temporary relief, not transformation.
Paul calls such practices false humility:
“Such regulations have an appearance of wisdom… but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”
— Colossians 2:23
Renewed Mind: A Universal Principle
Even secular thought recognizes this truth:
“When an overthinker says they love you, they mean they have thought through every reason not to—and still chose to love.”
“You cannot hurt me because I saw it coming and dealt with it already.”
Both statements show that action follows the mind.
The Bible teaches the same principle:
- God made Christ sin for us so that we might become righteous in Him.
- We can only trust someone we believe loves us.
- The prodigal son changed his mind before he changed direction.
Transformation always begins with a changed mind.
Salvation Is Finished — Not Earned
God has completed the work of salvation by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to take our place. Through believing in Jesus and His finished work, we are saved. Salvation is not something we work toward—it is something we receive.
Yet religion and tradition have perverted the Gospel so deeply that many believers are still looking at themselves, trying to labor their way into salvation. As a result, many remain in bondage—not because the power is missing, but because the truth is missing.
People think they must change their actions first. But God says:
“Change your mind about Me—and I will transform you.”
We cannot become like Christ with an unrenewed mind.
Good Works Are the Fruit, Not the Root
Good works and righteous living are not the source of salvation—they are the result of salvation. They flow naturally from a renewed mind that believes God’s truth.
God’s Word is a seed. Satan has sown corrupted seeds through religion and tradition, but God’s Word, when planted in our minds and meditated upon, renews our entire inner system. This is why Scripture urges us to renew our minds daily.
And if God says daily, it is because daily renewal is necessary.
Truth Sets Free
If God says there is no condemnation for those in Christ, then we must renew our minds to believe it and live accordingly.
Transformation begins when we choose to believe what God has said.
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
This is true repentance.
This is metanoia.
This is the Gospel of grace.
