How do we know if we are genuinely repentant? How do we know if someone else is genuinely repentant? David’s response to Nathan’s confrontation reveals a heart humbled by personal sin and ownership by David of his own behavior. First, he declares to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And then in Psalm 41:4, David declares, “O Lord, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” This is the cry of a repentant man – a cry for mercy and healing with no rationalizations, excuses, or blame shifting. The first step to genuine repentance is acknowledging the root sin is against our Lord.
The last time you were caught in a sin, what was your response? Sorrow because you were caught, or repentance because you recognized your own responsibility for your choices? Throughout the Psalms we can recognize the heart of a repentant man, as David cries out for mercy and healing. He doesn’t rationalize, excuse or blame others for his sin. That is a sign of genuine repentance.
