Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6
Here is memorable tool using the word TURN to guide you through confession and repentance. Each step includes a Bible verse and a practical action. This tool covers sin against God and others, including sins of commission and omission.
TURN To God with Your Whole Heart Tool
T – Tell the Truth 1 John 1:9
U – Understand the Impact James 4:17
R – Receive Forgiveness Psalm 103:10
N – New Direction Acts 3:19
T — Tell the Truth
1 John 1:9 NIV
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Make the decision to agree with God that what you did (or didn’t do) was sin.
Quietly or aloud, honestly admit to God (and to anyone you’ve wronged, if appropriate) what you have done or failed to do. Be specific—name either actions (commission) and inactions (omission).
“This is what I did and this is why it’s wrong”
Do I have anything I need to agree with God that it’s sin?
U — Understand the Impact
“Anyone, then, who knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”
James 4:17 NIV
Feel the impact of what you did (or didn’t do). Empathy or remorse are both powerful emotions to pay attention to.
Understand it’s the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. (You feeling empathy or remorse for what you did—or didn’t do—could be the first step before deciding to confess.)
If you sinned against someone else and they bring it to your attention. Ask God to help you see how your sin affects Him, others, and yourself. Reflect on sins of omission as well as commission.
Do I know how my action (or inaction) impacted others?
R — Receive Forgiveness
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”
Psalm 103:10 NIV
The ancient teachers said that we can sin against God and sin against each other. When we sin against God it’s easier to get forgiveness. Because when we repent, He’s going to forgive. When we sin against others—they might not want to forgive.
Jesus teaches us to forgive each other. What happens when someone withholds forgiveness?
That’s between them and God. Paul says,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
What you can do—when you want to keep the relationship—is to rebuild trust.
But trust takes time.
It takes consistency over time, or camaraderie in teamwork, or compassion in tragedy or connection in synergy or convergence of testimony. It takes careful entrusting of self and careful entrusting of truth.
It takes time.
Confess and repent of the little things, or else they become a big thing.
You don’t want to have to rebuild trust. But you can over time.
After confessing, thank God for His mercy and forgiveness. Accept that you are cleansed because of Jesus.
If you don’t feel like you’ve been forgiven by God, it might be the sin the of unbelief. Scripture says that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 And “As far as from the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 When you have done everything you can to make amends for the harm you’ve done to others, and have agreed with God that what you did or didn’t do was sin—if you don’t feel that you’ve been forgiven—it might be the sin of unbelief.
You can pray “Lord I believe, help my unbelief” Mark 9:24 and he will reveal to you the lie you’ve been believing and the truth that will set you free.
Will you trust him and His word?
Do I feel that I’m forgiven?
N — New Direction
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
Acts 3:19 NIV
Remember: confession is agreeing with God about your sin; repentance means changing your thinking and your direction.
In Greek μετάνοια (metanoia) Metanoia is built from two parts: “meta-” (after, beyond) and “noeo” (to think, perceive). So it’s not simply about changing one’s mind on a whim. It’s about a deep, fundamental shift in how you see things—a reorientation of your whole way of thinking.
In Christian usage, Metanoia is about reconsidering your values, actions, and beliefs in light of God’s truth.
Old things have passed away. Everything has been made new. This is Holy Spirit’s work—making us more and more and more like Jesus.
He’s going to finish the good work He’s started in us—that’s his role. Our role is to return to him—to repent—when Holy Spirit convicts me that my life isn’t lining up with what He empowers me to be.
We don’t do things the way we used to. We don’t think about things the way we once did. We don’t feel about things the way we used to.
We repent with our whole heart.
Am I being changed more and more into His image?
Paul told the Thessalonians to:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
When we rejoice always—focus on God and His promises and trust that He is good—it changes our attitude. When we pray continually—exchange our thoughts with His thoughts and problems for His peace—our answers will be His answers. When we give thanks in all circumstances—train our brain to feel gratitude for simple things and show appreciation to the people He’s entrusted to us in our everyday world—our actions will be His actions.
We will be his hands and feet to the people around us. This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Rejoicing Always changes our Attitude
Praying continually changes our Answers
Giving thanks at all times changes our Actions.
When we’re out of God’s will—in any area of our life—Repent with your whole heart.
Use the Turn to God with Your Whole Heart Tool get yourself back on track.
TURN to God with Your Whole Heart Tool
T – Tell the Truth
Do I have anything I need to agree with God that it’s sin?
U – Understand the Impact
Do I know how my actions (or inactions) impact others?
R – Receive Forgiveness
Do I feel that I’m forgiven?
N – New Direction
Am I being changed more and more into His image?