God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

a. The Hebrew word shubh- means “to turn back” or “return.”

b. Ezek. 14.6 - Therefore say to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent [ shubh ] and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.”

c. This word tells us that the person who repents experiences a radical change of attitude which causes them to “turn around,” to think and act in a completely different way.

2. New Testament

Metanoia denotes a radical change of mind and heart followed by a behavioral

2

a. The Greek word metanoia literally means “a change of mind.”

b. 2 Pet. 3.9 - The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance [ metanoia ].

reformation of a sinful life, a

sorrowing for sin so as to forsake sin altogether. ~ Thomas C. Oden. Life in the Spirit . Systematic Theology: Volume Three. p. 86.

c. As used in the Scriptures, it is a deep rich word which might be better stated as a change of purpose . This change of purpose involves the whole human being.

B. The changes that are involved in true repentance

1. Repentance involves a change of MIND .

a. Before repentance our minds thought of God as an enemy and led us to evil deeds, Col. 1.21-22.