"Repentance" is the Slavic translation of the Greek word "metanoia", literally meaning "change of mind", "change of mind." This is a state of mind that includes not only regret and regret for the mistakes and failures made, but also a strong will to correct, the determination to fight against bad inclinations, sin and passions.
Instructions
Step 1
The Monk John Climacus wrote: “Repentance is a covenant with God about the correction of life. Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord. Repentance is a cleansing of the conscience. The task at which the modern Christian has to constantly work is to live in the world and remain a pure, undefiled world. Repentance and confession are the fruit of this work.
Step 2
Confession and repentance are not synonymous. Confession is one of the seven Christian sacraments in which the repentant, confessing his sins to the priest, is invisibly permitted from them by the Lord Himself. The sacrament was established by the Savior, who told his Apostles: “Receive the Holy Spirit: to whom you forgive sins, to him will be forgiven; to whom you leave, with whom they will remain”(John 20: 22-23).
Step 3
In fact, the Sacrament of Confession should complete the process of repentance. Repentance is precisely a process, not an episode in a person's life. The Orthodox Christian is constantly in a state of repentance. The sacrament of confession must be preceded by an inner work. If there is no inner comprehension of your actions, regret about them, then confession becomes idle talk.
Step 4
There are a lot of memos "To help the penitent", where all kinds of sins are listed. These lists of sins can be used initially if you are not familiar with church life. But you should not formally list in confession everything that you wrote out of such a book. A scrupulous enumeration of all your sins leads away from the very essence of repentance.
Step 5
The essence of repentance is finding God. When a person simply realizes that he is sinful, bad, this is nothing more than a simple admission of his mistakes. It's another matter when he realizes at the same time that he needs a Savior, Christ, in order to become worthy of his calling. Repentance is striving to get better and better. In speaking of repentance, the apostle Paul compares a Christian to an athlete. He says: everyone runs to the lists, but the victory goes to the one who comes running first; this is how we should strive to achieve more in the spiritual life. Therefore, repentance is not the result of low self-esteem, but only a consequence of a constant striving for perfection.
Step 6
What if a person does not feel “the most sinful of all” at all? After all, then the call to repentance can only cause irritation and anger. It is important to remember that confession does not destroy a person as a person, does not humiliate his dignity. Many find it difficult to come to confession, overcome shame in front of a priest. There is no need to be afraid to go to confession "because you are ashamed." Conscience is cleared best of all by shame. In addition, shame is the best deterrent against further sinning.
Step 7
A person who decides to embark on the path of repentance can be given some advice. First, no matter how simple it may sound, visit the temple more often. Divine service life, frequent stay in the church turns out to be a powerful foundation on which you can build your repentance. Second, try to change the outer way of your life as much as possible. For example, go somewhere for a few days, retire to reflect on your life. It's good to go to some secluded monastery to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of silence and prayer.
