36 Things You Should Repent Of – A helpful guide

You searched the internet to find out what things you should repent of. You might be unsure about what goes with God and what doesn’t. In this article, I want to give you a helpful guide on 36 things the Bible shows us to repent of. I don’t put you to shame but I want to analyze with you what things God doesn’t like. (1 John 1:9)

Just to be clear, biblical repentance doesn’t mean to just feel or say sorry to God in prayer. It means, you fundamentally change your life from that moment on.

The Bible gives us several lists of sins that tell us either what is an abomination to God or to show people who do these kinds of things they “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Here are five lists I’ve found in the Bible:

“These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.”

Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:8 NKJV

“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.“

Revelation 22:15 NKJV

Based on these lists in the Bible, I put together my own extensive repentance list of what we should repent of to clear up anything that is between us and God.

Also, my list below is not exhaustive or in any order and might be edited over time.

Repent of disobedience toward God

Disobedience or rebellion towards God is the sin that started the great divide between mankind and God. It is the sin that is the foundation for every other sin in existence. (Genesis 3:17, Deuteronomy 28:15, 1 Samuel 15:22-23, John 15:14, Luke 10:27, Acts 5:29)

Repent of disobedience toward people in authority

A big sin God doesn’t like is rebellion toward people whom He put in authority over us. These can be parents, teachers, bosses, pastors, mentors, etc. (Exodus 20:12, Romans 13:1-2, 1 Timothy 2:1-3, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13-14, 5:5, Mark 12:17, Ephesians 6:1-3)

Repent of pride

“What is pride? A false sign of strength for a terribly damaged man.”

Apostle James Stanton

This sin, which is also a spirit, works very closely with rebellion. They go hand-in-hand if you think about it. Pride is something God hates to the core. He cannot and will not stand it. That’s why it is so important to do extra deliverance and spiritual warfare on the spirits of pride and rebellion. (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, Proverbs 3:34, 6:16-19, 8:13, 16:5, 16:16-19)

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

To find out how to do deliverance you can either read through my article on how to do self-deliverance or learn more about spiritual warfare as a whole in this list of articles.

Repent of rebellion towards your parents

This one can be big and is closely connected to disobedience and rebellion towards God and God-given authorities in our life.

Parents are the first God-given authority that ought to protect us, guide us, teach us, and prepare us for/in the things of God and the world.

It is simple: If you want to live long, honor your parents! (Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 20:9, Proverbs 20:20, Ephesians 6:1-3, Colossians 3:20, 1 Timothy 5:4, 5:8)

Repent of selfishness

It is the opposite of God’s love, which is the definition of selflessness (1 Corinthians 13:4-6).

Selfishness works closely together with pride and stubbornness and is according to James 3:12-16 a demonic spirit.

If you have selfishness in your life, you do have a demonic spirit and not only need to repent but you do need deliverance. (Philippians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 10:24, 13:4-5, 2 Corinthians 12:20-21, Galatians 5:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:2-4, 1 John 3:17)

If this whole “demonic spirit thing” is new to you, don’t be afraid! It’s something we need to be aware of, but don’t have to fear. To clear things up, I wrote a dedicated article answering the question: What Is a Demon?

Repent of witchcraft, and white or black magic

In case you think this particular issue is extreme and you don’t have anything to do with it, let me tell you this: Even just getting into Harry Potter, World of Warcraft (and games like it), ouija board, talking to the dead, blood rituals, etc is occult and very much witchcraft.

It is a sin before God. It can get you in quite some spiritual trouble. (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 20:27, 1 Chronicles 10:13, 2 Chronicles 33:6, 1 Samuel 15:23, Galatians 5:19-21, Revelation 21:8)

If you have gotten into this kind of stuff, maybe not just superficially, I urge you not just to repent but seek out a deliverance minister who can pray for deliverance. People who come out of the witchcraft scene, even if it’s just everyday life softcore witchcraft, are usually heavily burdened with demonic spirits.

Repent of bitterness and unforgiving heart

Taking offense is one of the most common but hidden sins we see in our world right now. So many people are bitter because they haven’t forgiven others their offenses.

They either don’t know how, or they might have never experienced forgiveness of their sins themselves.
Jesus said there will be offenses (Matthew 18:7), but it’s on us how we deal with them! (Matthew 5:21-26, 18:21-35, Ephesians 4:26-27)

In this video below, I share how God set me free from unforgiveness and hurt towards my Dad, and how Jesus restored our relationship.

Repent of shame, guilt, and self-pity

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” 

Romans 8:1 NKJV

When we give in to temptation and sin, the enemy will try to get us from the other side as well. He’ll bombard us with shame, guilt, and even self-pity. Don’t give in!

When you ask your heavenly father for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus, He is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Repent, sin no more, get delivered from shame, guilt, condemnation, and self-pity, and keep your eyes on the prize.

Repent of lust, porn, fornication, and adultery

Lust and porn might seem like obvious sins to repent of. But I believe they are still worth mentioning because it’s such a widespread spirit in this generation. (Matthew 5:28, 1 John 2:16, Galatians 5:16, Colossians 3:5, Job 31:1, 1 Timothy 2:22, 1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Peter 2:11)

I want to encourage you that there is freedom for you from this thing! It is a nasty stubborn demon, but you can get rid of it!

Keep on fighting. All the enemy is trying to get you to do is give up. Turn it around and fight until the enemy gives up.

Repent of anger, wrath, and hatred

If anger isn’t something we all know about, then I also don’t know what to say anymore – lol.

Know that this is not “just your flesh” or “just an emotion”.

Yes, God is getting angry too. But the Bible tells us to not sin in anger and not to let the sun go down over our anger. (Ephesians 26-31)

Then it says not to give room to anger. If it would be only an emotion or the flesh, it wouldn’t need room, would it?

Most people get so angry, that they can’t control what they do or say. In that lies the sin. And that then is more than just an emotion or in the flesh. Therein is the spirit of anger revealed.

Repent and be delivered from the spirit of anger, wrath, and hatred.

Repent of spiritual and/or physical murder

The sin of physical murder is obvious. Spiritual murder, on the other hand, might not be.

Did you know when we hate someone in our heart that it is just as the sin of murder to God? (1 John 3:15)

Additionally, slander and gossip work like spiritual murder because it tries to kill the influence and reach people have on others.

Repent of slander and gossip

We all have heard people say stuff similar to this:

“Please keep John in prayer. He has some serious trouble with his wife. Not sure if you guys have heard, but he… (10 minutes of spilling the beans later). So, keep him in prayer!”

Slander and gossip are some of the nastiest and most detrimental sins. People who fall for them don’t even know what damage they do to others. (Leviticus 19:16, Proverbs 11:13, 20:19, Ephesians 4:29-32, James 1:26, 1 Peter 3:1-3)

As already mentioned in the point prior, slander and gossip work like spiritual murder.

Repent, stop being so nosy and chatty, and get delivered from it.

Repent of jealousy and envy

The Bible shows us clearly how jealousy and envy are not only mere sins but also demonic spirits. (Exodus 20:17, James 3:12-14)

It is a form of selfishness. Everyone, who continues in this sin will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:20-21)

Repent of sowing division

Connecting to the previous points, sowing division is a fruit of slander and gossip, and roots in a heart filled with jealousy, envy, and deep wounds from the past. (Proverbs 16:28, 6:19)

Repent and seek God’s healing touch.

This article about how to heal a broken heart might become helpful to you in the process.

Repent of arguing, fighting, and strife

So many families suffer from these kinds of sins and spirits. Many families break under these destructive demonic influences. (2 Timothy 2:23-24, Proverbs 13:10, 29:22, Titus 3:1-2)

Turn from arguing and having to be right. If not for yourself, then do it for your family and the people around you. Stretch out for God’s selfless love (1 Corinthians 13), get delivered, and ask God to give you grace for meekness, humility, and kindness. (Galatians 5:22-23)

There is a great Christian movie called Fireproof that deals with this topic. It made a big impact on my view on relationships when I was in my early tweens.

You can watch it on pure flix, buy it through amazon. Or see if one of your streaming subscriptions carries it.

Repent of cursing and using God’s name in vain

In some cultures, this might not be as obvious as in the United States.

Here is one example: In Germany, Christians don’t necessarily mind using strong language. In the South of the US, the earth opens up immediately below Christians even when they only think of a bad word. (I’m exaggerating to make my point.)

God tells us clearly how not only we will have to account for the things we did in life (2 Corinthians 5:10) but also for every word we said (Matthew 12:36).

Repent of drunkenness, alcohol, and drug abuse

If this one relates to you, you know that you’re only trying to fill a bottomless hole in your soul which only one person can fill and repair: Jesus Christ.

You know this is just a symptom of something much, much deeper inside. If you suffer from addiction, you need to change your habits and acknowledge that you have a problem.

But your problem is not only the addiction but more so the hurt beneath it.

Stop running away from your hurts. Come back to your heavenly Father.

Let Him touch you. He’s not done with you yet. Don’t think this addiction is a hard thing for Him. Let Him help you face your demons. There is victory and freedom in the name of Jesus!

Maybe one of these helpful online Healing and Deliverance Ministries can help you in your process to get set free.

Repent of heresies and trusting false teachings

If you know you do or did believe an unbiblical doctrine and haven’t turned back to God yet, you need to repent now!

False teachings are usually loosely based on the Bible.

Following these teachings will keep you bound under a religious spirit. (2 Peter 2:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 1 John 4:1, Colossians 2:8, Jude 1:4, Romans 16:17-18)

Repent of homosexuality and sexual immorality

I know this is a hot iron and if this is of relevancy to you then this article might not be the right resource for you at this point anyways. The purpose of this article is to give an overview of sin that one can or should repent of.

Let me just say this to position myself: In my Bible, it says, “(…) God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

God didn’t create Adam and Steve. He created Adam and Eve.

I found further scriptures on homosexuality as a sin in Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:10, and Romans 1:26-27.

Repent of lying and dishonesty

God tells us even in the ten commandments that lying is a big no-no. (Exodus 20:16)

A verse at the end of the Bible confirms this commandment: The liars will have their part in the lake of fire. (Revelations 21:8)

Repent of stealing

Same as lying, it is part of the ten commandments. (Exodus 20:15)

Think about it: all sin, no matter how big or small it is, will ultimately bring harm, hurt, and destruction to people.

It’s better to repent now before the sin in your life creates more damage.

Repent of pedophilia

If you struggle with this, then you do need professional help!

This sin isn’t just a sin that affects your own life. Just like sexual immorality, this sin will cause harm to others as well.

Above that, it will cause harm to people that cannot defend themselves – innocent children. 

Jesus is very clear about this in Matthew 18:6,10.

However, there is forgiveness and freedom in Jesus! You need to seek that healing and deliverance, turn, and seek professional help!

This sin ain’t something we can take lightly.

Repent of lukewarmness and backsliding

Something Jesus doesn’t like at all is lukewarmness. 

It’s disgusting to Him. So much that He will spit out everyone who won’t be either hot or cold but remain in the middle. (Revelations 3:16)

Should you feel like this is you, and you’re caught up in compromises in your spiritual walk with God, but you want your fire back, then check out this helpful guide I put together for you! I believe it can help you get back on track.

Repent of calling good evil, and evil good

Something we see more and more in the world is calling good things evil and evil things good.

But God has a clear statement to this behavior:

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

Isaiah 5:20 NKJV

A woe-curse is a curse God will take of Himself at some point. You don’t want to be part of that when this happens. Better repent and turn now.

Repent of not trusting God

If there is one person in the universe that has never broken His Word, it is God.

He truly is the faithful one. His promises are yes and amen. (1 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 1:20, 2 Timothy 2:13, Deuteronomy 7:9)

So, who is it that says God cannot be trusted? Who is the one who broke the covenant with God and rejected His promises?

Repent of fear

The opposite of trust, faith, and God’s love is fear.

The Bible shows us that the fearful, timid, and cowards will have their part in the lake of fire (Revelations 21:8).

It is not a mere emotion – it is a demonic spirit that lives in your emotions and messes with the area of fear and trust. It can only be cast out by God’s perfect love! (2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 4:18, 1 Corinthians 13)

perfect love casts out fear

1 John 4:18

Repent of doubt and unbelief

Christians say, “To doubt and sway in your faith is normal.”

Well, I say, it might be common, but it shouldn’t be normal.

A normal Christian walks by faith and not by sight!

How should you, being made in the perfect image of God, being spiritually restored by the resurrection power of Christ, and being brought back to spiritual life by the Holy Spirit, have doubt and unbelief?

It is a demonic force sent to kill, steal, and destroy your faith (John 10:10).

Repent and cast it out.

Repent of any kind of idolatry

In our society, we are not bowing down to carved images. But we have plenty of things we like to invest ourselves into more than into God.

That is called idolatry.

God wants us to love Him back with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27). Loving the World is being an enemy with God (James 4:4).

Repent of complaining

Oh, how God’s people like to complain. I have battled with that one myself too much in my life. (Psalms 106:25, James 5:9, Philippians 2:14-16)

Be thankful for what you have. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

If you see something isn’t as it should be, it’s usually not their fault entirely anyways.

Take ownership over your situation, repent, seek God, get delivered, and walk faithfully in the things of God.

Repent of laziness

This could be spiritual and/or physical laziness. You know yourself best. But God didn’t create us to veggie on the couch and watch Netflix all day long. (Colossians 3:23, Proverbs 10:4, 13:4, 18:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:8)

Get up, step out, get delivered!

Repent of being unloving and rejecting others

Maybe you have heard the saying:

“Hurt people hurt people.”

It couldn’t be more true. If you have an issue with rejection, guess what? There must be some rejection inside your heart.

Seek God for forgiveness and healing, and deliverance.

I wrote an article on how to heal a broken heart that could be helpful in this situation.

Repent of making evil plans in your heart

Maybe a not-so-extreme everyday life example could be the so-called “pranking.”

At first, pranking seems so innocent and fun. But if you think about it, it’s a very fleshly thing to do. It usually is mean and rejoices in the misery of others.

Instead of constantly sowing in the flesh and reaping death, let’s do what Jesus would do: Sow in the spirit to reap life. (Galatians 6:7-8, Luke 6:38)

Repent of not wanting to pray or read the Bible

For a Jesus-loving, Holy Spirit-filled follower of Christ, it should be normal to build your relationship with your loving Father in heaven through prayer and reading His Word.

If there is something in you that keeps you from prayer, the Bible or spending time with God, then you seriously need to receive some deliverance ministry.

It is a clear sign of a demonic spirit who keeps you from your destiny in God.

Repent of putting man’s opinion before God’s Word

Another phenomenon of our time is trusting more in the opinion of others (doctors, scientists, and politicians) than what God’s trustworthy eternal Word says.

Who’s opinion matters more: God’s? or the world’s?’

At some point, we need to make a decision and stick with it without compromise.

Repent of not doing the full gospel of Christ

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not only to repent and be saved.

That is merely the beginning.

The full gospel consists of (1) preaching the good news of salvation to the needy. (2) Then, Jesus sends us to preach on healing and deliverance. (3) We need to heal physically and emotionally sick or hurting people. And lastly, (4) we have to set free those who are in spiritual bondage.

If you haven’t done this or only parts of it – maybe because they didn’t teach you the full truth – you need to repent and start being obedient to the most basic mission God gives us.

(Luke 4:18, John 20:21, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-20)

To learn more about the biblical full gospel, check out this helpful article and video.

Repent of not bringing fruit for God

Maybe this will sound weird to you, but our God is a very hungry God. (John 15:1-5)

There are three things God wants from you: love, respect, and fruit.

When you read the gospel of John chapters 14 and 15, you will see to bring fruit for God is not optional but a requirement.

Make it your goal and prayer for every day to bring fruit for God in one way or another.

Maybe a good way to start is helping out needy people, that can’t pay you back anyways.

If anyone among you thinks he is religious,

and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart,

this one’s religion is useless. 

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: 

to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, 

and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

James 1:26-27

Related Posts: