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Repentance Worksheet
James 4:1-12
Repentance is a Spirit-developed change of mind that results in a glad and deliberate change of
direction, made possible by the grace of God.
Slowly and prayerfully work through the following issues, as described in James 4:8-12. Realize that
this is not a momentary event, but should be a regular part of your daily lifestyle as you seek to live
victoriously in Christ. Christians are to be “lifelong repenters” as we overcome sin in this world until death.
Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into
MOURN your sin mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of
the Lord, and He will exalt you. (James 4:9-10)
PRAY A PRAYER LIKE THIS:
“Lord, I ask that you would open my eyes to see my sin as you see it and feel about it what you
feel. Don’t let me treat lightly what you treat seriously. Help me to have a true godly sorrow for my sin and
an increasing sensitivity to what grieves your heart.”
MEDITATE ON THIS: For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without
regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this
very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what
fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! (2 Corinthians 7:10-11)
Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a
ACCEPT your brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law;
but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.
responsibility There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to
destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12)
PRAY A PRAYER LIKE THIS:
“Dear Father, you alone are the judge. Right now I accept full responsibility for my own sin. I
choose to leave what others may have done in your hands. I am not responsible for them, but fully
responsible for what I have done. Grant me the grace to stop “pitching blame” on others. I now release
what I am holding against…
My mate
My fellow student(s)
My father or mother
My fellow church member
My stepparent
My friend
My sister/brother
My enemy
My neighbor
___________________________ (others)
My boss/co-worker
CLEANSE your hands Cleanse your hands, you sinners… (James 4:8b)
PRAY A PRAYER LIKE THIS:
“Dear Jesus, I admit that I have been guilty of the sin of…”
(underline all that apply, humbly agreeing with God about your sin)
Pride, bragging, making sure I’m “known;” taking credit for my success; love of human praise; a
secret fondness to be noticed; love of supremacy; a desire to achieve regardless of the methods; drawing
attention to myself in conversations.
Anger, impatience, a touchy, sensitive spirit; resentment and retaliation when I am disapproved of
or contradicted; sharp, harsh words; sarcasm; a stubborn, unteachable spirit; an arguing, talkative spirit;
contention; an unyielding, headstrong disposition; a driving, commanding, controlling spirit; inflexibility
(things have to go my way); unapproachableness; resenting or resisting the authorities God has placed over
me.
Copyright by The Summit Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Permission to use gladly given with acknowledgement
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A desire to criticize and pick flaws when I’m set aside or unnoticed; gossip, criticism; focusing on
the failures of others; unkind responses; spreading strife; being envious or jealous of others.
Dishonesty; lying; exaggeration; evading and covering the truth; leaving a better impression of
myself than is strictly true; covering up my real faults; defensiveness; an unwillingness to accept
responsibility for my sin; pitching blame on others.
Fear; a man-fearing, man-pleasing spirit; shrinking from duty; passivity; worry about whether
everything will come out all right; lack of quiet confidence in God; lack of gratitude; unbelief; doubting God’s
goodness; worry and complaining in the midst of difficulty.
Laziness; wasted time (often with the internet, television, games); gluttony; overindulgence;
drunkenness; abuse of drugs (including prescription drugs); a tendency to trust medication more than God;
lust, pornography, adultery, fornication, incest, abortion.
Unforgiveness; bitterness and hatred toward those who’ve hurt me; an unwillingness to clear my
conscience with others; intolerance of others; bigotry and prejudice; harbored hurt.
Formality and deadness; lack of concern for lost people; dryness and indifference; lukewarmness
and apathy; insensitivity toward others; unwillingness to serve (a consumer mentality); a desire to be served;
self-centeredness; hypocrisy; disobedience to God’s promptings; lack of time with God in His Word;
prayerlessness.
(Are there any other sins that God brings to your mind?)
**After you have agreed with God and confessed these sins, read the following promise and take a
moment to thank Him for His complete forgiveness!
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 8-9)
PURIFY your heart Purify your heart, you double-minded (James 4:8c)
PRAY A PRAYER LIKE THIS:
“Lord, the things that I love more than you have divided my loyalty and are worthless to satisfy
the real needs of my heart. My priorities are out of order. None of these things of the world are wrong in
and of themselves, but forgive me for loving the following things in the wrong way—for letting them
become the focus of my life.
I recognize and gladly renounce and release my improper love of…”
(Check all that apply)
Pleasure Relationships
Comfort and ease Money
Recreation Financial security
Sports and hobbies Material possessions
Television, video games, internet, etc. Work
Food Man’s approval
Fashion Power, prestige, and recognition
Sex
Teach me Your way, O LORD—I will walk in Your truth. Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give
thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever. (Psalm 86:11-12)
Let repentance be the daily attitude and response of your life. Don’t let the idols
FINALLY… of this world and the sin of your life pile up over days and weeks, creating a
“separation between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2). Keep short accounts
before Him realizing that “the nearness of God” is your good (Psalm 73:28).
Copyright by The Summit Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Permission to use gladly given with acknowledgement