As we approach Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, our minds are focused towards repentance. Typically, when we think of repentance we think of being sorry or apologizing for something. That’s part of it, but there is more.
The Hebrew word for repentance is Teshuva. It means “to turn.” It’s an action, not just a feeling. In order to repent, we must have a change of mind, but then our action must follow as well.
When I’ve wronged someone, they can rightly evaluate the sincerity of my apology on what steps I’ve taken to avoid repeating the offense. The same applies to my sin. God knows my heart, but my actions reveal, to me and to those around me, if I am truly repentant. I may feel true remorse and sorrow, but when the feeling wanes and I find myself soon in the same circumstance, what have I done to turn from that behavior?
Repenting involves deliberately turning away from something and going in a new direction: reserving a room at the hotel without adult channels available, meeting friends at a restaurant instead of an old bar hangout, socializing with groups that mutually encourage and not pull you into gossip or coarse talk, finding someone to be accountable to.
What precautions have I put in place? Have I really turned from my sinful behavior? Or do I just feel bad that I slipped up and hope it doesn’t happen again … while continuing to walk the same path? In other words, do I really kind of enjoy my sin and not want to slam the door on it completely?
I want to walk a path directly towards God. That’s not to say I won’t still stumble, or fall back, but as I turn towards God, the very act puts sinful habits behind me.
Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations. Ezekiel 14:6
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