The Power of Repentance-Do Not Follow Your Own Ways

January 21, 2025

The Power of Repentance-Do Not Follow Your Own Ways

One of the main things that need to be done when dealing with repentance is a change in the way that you think. You have to change your entire mindset from the way that you used to think to having the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 details, “For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

Remember those that become born again believers are now new creations and we can see that revealed in 2 Corinthians 5:17. It states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” You are no longer the old you that you used to be being led by your flesh instead of your spirit.

Repentance is a decision that you make that is not being led by emotions but being followed through with action. This will take a process as the Holy Spirit will help you peel off all of the layers that have been holding you back from what God destined you to be. One of the most important parts of this transformation is the renewal of your mind.

Romans 12:2 is very clear as the Apostle Paul states, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The key words in this powerful passage of Scripture are the words “…that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” As you renew your mind with the Word of God paired with the Holy Spirit you will have a clearer understanding of what is acceptable to God.

One of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit is to bring the Word of God to your remembrance to keep you on track, John 14:26. It is almost impossible for Him to bring Scriptures to your recollection if your Scriptural memory is blank. I cannot tell you how important it is to read the Lord’s Word, Study it, and apply it to your daily life. This is key when it comes to living a repentant life before the Lord.

We need to get into the habit of seeing things through the lens of Christ and abiding by the guidelines that He has set before us. When we attempt to follow our own ways it will lead to death and destruction every single time. Below I am going to go over a passage of Scripture in the book of Proverbs that breaks down this very thing.

Proverbs 16:25

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

Here we can see that King Solomon through the leading of the Holy Spirit is letting us know that a man that follows his own ways usually leads to death, physical and spiritual. The words “the way” being used here is the Hebrew word “dereḵ” which means: of moral action and character. The words “that seems right” being used here is the Hebrew word “yāšār” which means: right and pleasing to man.

So as we break down these words out of this powerful Proverb we can conclude that the Lord is giving us a warning. He is stating that the actions and character of those that are trying to please man instead of striving to please the Lord will eventually end in death. The words “of death” being used here is the Hebrew word “māveṯ” which means: death by violence as a penalty.

When we try to do things our own way without being led by the Holy Spirit we will fall astray. The Lord wants us to include Him in everything that we do and in every decision that we make. Proverbs 3:5-6 details, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Here we can determine that if we can trust the Lord with our entire heart, He will direct our paths. This is crucial when it comes to repentance because as you turn away from your wicked ways you will need to have an understanding of what God’s way looks like. Everything that you will ever need pertaining to how the Lord wants His children to live their lives is found in His Word.

If you do not read your bible, study it, and apply it to your way of living you will struggle when it comes to true repentance. 2 Timothy 2:15 reveals, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The important word to highlight in this passage of Scripture is the word “yourself.” The Lord is expecting every one of us to have the ability to rightly divide His Truth from the lies of the devil.

When we choose to follow our own thoughts and imaginations and lean on our own emotions, the likelihood of us being led off course is very high! That is why God is very clear that we are to take every thought into captivity, 2 Corinthians 10:5. The negative thoughts that get planted in our minds usually come from the enemy but we develop thoughts also.

Anything that is in our minds that take us away from the will of God needs to be cast down and dealt with. The enemy will use every device that he has to tempt you to be disobedient to God’s Word. Remember that sin is what places a wedge between you and the Lord. You have to be so rooted in the Scriptures that you do not fall for his schemes.

One thing that we can never overlook is the fact that the wages of you following your own path instead of choosing to follow the Lord’s will lead to death. Romans 6:23 details, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That is why the passage of Scripture that I am highlighting in the book of Proverbs states, “…but its end is the way of death.”

The thoughts that you think will eventually marinate in your heart and become evident in your life. Proverbs 23:7 discloses to us why that is as King Solomon states, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” It is vital that you allow God’s Word to saturate your heart and mind directing your every step making the crooked path straight!

Conclusion

There is so much power in repentance and living a repentant lifestyle. The key elements to ensuring that you are able to be successful in this area is renewing your frame of mind and refraining from following your own ways. When you change the way that you think the way that you act and speak will change also.

The enemy will challenge you in this area as he will attempt to use his devices to try to sway you off track. If you can get God’s Word written deep down in your heart and mind, it will be more difficult for the devil to use his schemes against you!

Also, don’t forget to check out my other blogs:

The Power of Repentance-The Prodigal Son

The Power of Repentance-The Message of Repentance

The Power of Repentance-What Exactly is Repentance?

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Fight Back

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Feed Your Spirit

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Renouncing

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Confess and Repent

Recognizing Spiritual Strongholds

What are Spiritual Strongholds?

The Spiritual Laws of God-Poverty Part 1

The Spiritual Laws of God-Poverty Part 2

The Spiritual Laws of God-Restoration

The Spiritual Laws of God-The General Principles

The Spiritual Laws of God-The Power of Your Tongue!

The Spiritual Laws of God-Having an Understanding

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