“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

(Acts 8:22 KJV Bible)

These were the words spoken to Simon the sorcerer by Peter the apostle after that Simon had wanted to buy the Holy Ghost with money. Peter operating in true discernment recognised that this man’s heart was not right, and he needed to repent and pray for forgiveness to be accepted by God. Even the thought of his heart was something that had to be repented of and forgiven. This man had to be rebuked by a true man of God before realising his sinful state, and take note – a true man of God will bring conviction of sin. False prophets will affirm sinful people, keeping them away from God and true salvation.

Today many people walk around in arrogance and pride, vainly puffed up in their minds, not realising there need for true personal repentance before a holy God. God sees the state of men’s hearts, even though they don’t. They are blind and assume that they don’t need to repent. So, when God shows a man his sinful state and need of repentance, this is the work of the Holy Spirit and the gift of God.

“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

(John 16:8)

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

(Romans 2:4)

God wants the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts to be acceptable to Him. Anything less than this demands repentance: that is, a turning from that which is wrong, acknowledging it, and a commitment to live righteously from that moment on.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

(Psalm 19:14)

God is checking all the deep recesses of the heart, to evaluate whether people are walking in righteousness or wickedness, especially Christians!

“And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

(Revelation 2:23)

Most people in the world today need to repent: they need to acknowledge their wickedness in the sight of a holy God and turn from their sin. This includes repenting of every false religion and teaching and every sinful thought and deed under the sun. Even many Christians who have lost their way and are walking in wrong ways need to repent, getting back to the cross, and on their knees where they belong.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

(1 John 1:6-10)

You need to call out to God for help and mercy. You need to forsake your sin and acknowledge your sin before the Lord. Do not harden your heart; do not put it off until tomorrow. Get your heart right with God today!

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”

(Acts 17:30)