When Regret Isn’t Repentance
One of the clearest marks of spiritual maturity is the ability to discern between true repentance and convenient regret. On the surface they can look alike, with tears, apologies, and promises to do better, but the roots are completely different.
True repentance is born from a broken and humbled heart before God. It is not just words, it is a change of mind and direction. Scripture says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Real repentance produces fruit, new behavior, a new attitude, and a turning away from the old pattern even when it costs something.
Regret, on the other hand, is often self centered. It feels sorrowful, but it is really sadness over losing comfort, access, or benefits. Some people only feel sorry because they realize you or the relationship with you was more valuable than what they chased after. This is the sorrow of Judas, who felt remorse but did not turn back to Christ (Matthew 27:3-5). It is the sorrow that says, “I miss what you gave me” but not “I miss who I became without you.”
Yeshua Himself said, “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:16). Changed behavior is the evidence of a changed heart. True repentance does not just seek to regain what was lost, it seeks to restore what was broken and honor God in the process.
As believers, we must walk in forgiveness but also in discernment. Forgiveness releases others from our judgment, but discernment protects us from being drawn back into cycles God delivered us from. “Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
So when someone returns to you with apologies, watch for the fruit. Are they turning from the sin? Are they making amends without excuses? Do their actions match their words? That is the mark of repentance. Anything less is simply regret.
General ⚔️
This is so crazy I just totally went through all this like I put that as my status that bad company corrupts good behavior because I just finished reading Corinthians. forgiveness is dropping the charge so they don’t have to pay a fine because of what they did to you in a spiritual place totally confirmed everything thank you
Love you General.. always helping us with our walk. We want to be found in good standing with Yeshua. I want to be sealed and found ready. I woke up out of a sound sleep saying “Yeshua HaMashiac “ over and over. Not sure why… but I love that even in my sleep He is on my mind and in my heart. I thank and love you Yeshua ♥️♥️
I’m so in love with the way my life is now! I don’t ever want anything from my old life of complete destruction and disarray, homelessness, drug addiction, lying, stealing, fornicating… I was so lost and I am so grateful that Jesus never left me in my mess, He met me there and pulled me out of the trenches into His marvelous light! It’s been a process of almost 10 months but everyday is another step in the right direction! I am getting baptized on Sunday and I am so excited to continue my walk with Jesus! He’s my everything, I just cant imagine my life without Him in it! I don’t know how I did it for so long without reading my Bible and praying and worshipping Him everyday! All glory and honor to God Almighty! Thank you Jesus for saving me! ❤️
Amen sister coco like you have always said and it will stick with me forever is forgiveness is power!!! Amen thank you lord that we can walk in obedience and realize the difference between the two!! Glory.