---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Repentance isn't only sorrow for past…"
description: "\"Repentance isn't only sorrow for past sins, it's also a determination to now do the will of God as He reveals it to us\" — Aiden Wilson Tozer"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_determination_repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-si_2238602.png"
---

#  Repentance isn't only sorrow for past sins, it's also a…

![“Repentance isn't only sorrow for past sins, it's also a determination to now do the will of God as He reveals it to us” quote by Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_determination_repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-si_2238602.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_determination_repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-si_2238602.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_determination_repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-si_2238602.png)

> “Repentance isn't only sorrow for past sins, it's also a determination to now do the will of God as He reveals it to us”

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Repentance involves both sorrow for past wrongs and a committed resolve to follow God's revealed will now.

**In simple terms:** Repentance is sorrow plus commitment.

Key Takeaway

Combine remorse with active obedience.

Themes

faith repentance obedience

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

theological motivational

When to use this quote

- personal change
- church teaching
- daily devotion

Key Concepts

spiritual transformation divine guidance

Questions to Reflect On

- What steps will you take to align with God's will?
- How does sorrow motivate change?

A Different Perspective

Sorrow without action is incomplete; true repentance demands forward movement.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Determination God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination-god-3744043/) [God Reveals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-reveals/) [Gods will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-will/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past Sins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-sins-1390843/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Repentance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repentance/) [Repentance Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repentance-isn-1193572/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [Sorrow Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow-past-3675853/)

## Related quotes

> [“Repentance isn't doing something about my sin. It is admitting I can't do anything about my sin. It is trusting that only God can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-lynch/repentance-isn-t-doing-something-about-my-sin-it-is-admitting-i-can-t/)

[John S. Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-lynch/)

> [No matter how many times you get knocked down, keep getting back up. God sees your resolve. He sees your determination. And when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/no-matter-how-many-times-you-get-knocked-down-keep-getting-back-up/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [Then I turned to him commanding That he go the way he came, whence he came. But he answered me in sorrow, "May the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/then-i-turned-to-him-commanding-that-he-go-the-way-he-came-whence-he/)

[Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/)

> [“When this, our rose, is faded, And these, our days, are done, In lands profoundly shaded From tempest and from sun: Ah, once more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-dowson/when-this-our-rose-is-faded-and-these-our-days-are-done-in-lands/)

[Ernest Dowson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-dowson/)

> [Determination is a god given gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/biggie-smalls/determination-is-a-god-given-gift/)

[Biggie Smalls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/biggie-smalls/)

> [“True repentance isn't just saying, "I'm sorry". It's. saying "I'm sorry, I'll never, ever do that again because my relationship with you means more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/true-repentance-isn-t-just-saying-i-m-sorry-it-s-saying-i-m-sorry-i/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“He does not come to see if we are good: he comes to disturb the caked conventions by which we pretend to be good.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-farrar-capon/he-does-not-come-to-see-if-we-are-good-he-comes-to-disturb-the-caked/)

[Robert Farrar Capon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-farrar-capon/)

> [“It’s possible to seek justice for past sins while doing what needs to be done today. However, it is difficult to grow until you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-santo/it-s-possible-to-seek-justice-for-past-sins-while-doing-what-needs-to/)

[DON SANTO](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-santo/)

> [“One day, my past sins and the conscience that abandoned me are going to meet in a dark alley so they can plot my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-gray/one-day-my-past-sins-and-the-conscience-that-abandoned-me-are-going/)

[Kylie Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-gray/)

> [It's incumbent on all of us to remember our history and not repeat our past sins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/it-s-incumbent-on-all-of-us-to-remember-our-history-and-not-repeat/)

[Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/)

> [That's where all of us are standing now, he thought. On the fat kindling of past sins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-m-miller-jr-2/that-s-where-all-of-us-are-standing-now-he-thought-on-the-fat-2/)

[Walter M. Miller, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-m-miller-jr-2/)

> [“ That's where all of us are standing now , he thought. On the fat kindling of past sins. And some of them are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-miller/that-s-where-all-of-us-are-standing-now-he-thought-on-the-fat/)

[Walter Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-miller/)

> [“When people confront the past—their sins, wounds, and curses—they experience amazing joy, freedom, and spiritual growth. They move from just the assurance of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hodges/when-people-confront-the-past-their-sins-wounds-and-curses-they/)

[Chris Hodges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hodges/)

> [An America that looks away is ignoring not just the sins of the past but the sins of the present and the certain sins…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/an-america-that-looks-away-is-ignoring-not-just-the-sins-of-the-past/)

[Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/)

> [Forgive yourself for past sins and hurts you have caused others. You can't pay people back, so ask God to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/forgive-yourself-for-past-sins-and-hurts-you-have-caused-others-you/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

## More by Aiden Wilson Tozer

> [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [One thing the young Christian should be taught as quickly as possible after his conversion is that Jesus Christ is all he needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/one-thing-the-young-christian-should-be-taught-as-quickly-as-possible/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [The idea that this world is a playground instead of a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of Christians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-idea-that-this-world-is-a-playground-instead-of-a-battleground/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [Pay no heed to the passing religious vogue. Go back to the grass roots. Open your hearts and search the Scriptures. Bear your cross,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/pay-no-heed-to-the-passing-religious-vogue-go-back-to-the-grass-roots/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [To pray without expectation is to misunderstand the whole concept of prayer and relationship with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/to-pray-without-expectation-is-to-misunderstand-the-whole-concept-of/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [It's time for us to rise up, get out of the rut and routine, and begin to take our Christian faith seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/it-s-time-for-us-to-rise-up-get-out-of-the-rut-and-routine-and-begin/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [The true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-true-christian-ideal-is-not-to-be-happy-but-to-be-holy/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-goodness-of-god-is-infinitely-more-wonderful-than-we-will-ever-be/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [A holy man isn't aware that he's holy..As soon as we begin to talk about how holy we are, we aren't holy any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/a-holy-man-isn-t-aware-that-he-s-holy-as-soon-as-we-begin-to-talk/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [There is a strain of loneliness infecting many Christians, which only the presence of God can cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/there-is-a-strain-of-loneliness-infecting-many-christians-which-only/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [Where God is not glorified, that place is sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/where-god-is-not-glorified-that-place-is-sick/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [Hope is the music of the whole Bible, the heartbeat, the pulse and the atmosphere of the whole Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/hope-is-the-music-of-the-whole-bible-the-heartbeat-the-pulse-and-the/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/christian-liberty-is-freedom-from-sin-not-freedom-to-sin/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [Outside of the will of god, there is nothing I want. And in the will of god there is nothing I fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/outside-of-the-will-of-god-there-is-nothing-i-want-and-in-the-will-of/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

[Explore all 720 Aiden Wilson Tozer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

## More Determination quotes

> [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/)

[Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/)

> [In 1990, when they asked me to shoot a cover for 'British Vogue' to convey my personal vision of a woman, I explained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lindbergh/in-1990-when-they-asked-me-to-shoot-a-cover-for-british-vogue-to/)

[Peter Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lindbergh/)

> [“It is not the force of the wind, but the depth of the roots.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/it-is-not-the-force-of-the-wind-but-the-depth-of-the-roots/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/)

[Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-as-much-as-government-can-do-and-must-do-it-is-ultimately-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Don't let a breath escape from your body without Krishna's name. That should be our determination throughout our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/don-t-let-a-breath-escape-from-your-body-without-krishna-s-name-that/)

[Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/)

> [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/)

[Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/)

> [“Making a decision takes a moment, living a decision takes a life-time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherif-a-el-mawardy/making-a-decision-takes-a-moment-living-a-decision-takes-a-life-time/)

[Sherif A. El-Mawardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherif-a-el-mawardy/)

> [“Fate and future both are servant to the determined, for they are nothing but creation of human determination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/fate-and-future-both-are-servant-to-the-determined-for-they-are/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-cannot-go-back-in-time-and-change-the-past-but-we-can-repent-the/)

[Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/)

> [“She felt wild and unruly, determined and free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/she-felt-wild-and-unruly-determined-and-free/)

[Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/)

> [“The real failure is not the one who falls down, it's the one who refuses to get up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/habeeb-akande/the-real-failure-is-not-the-one-who-falls-down-it-s-the-one-who/)

[Habeeb Akande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/habeeb-akande/)

> [“I AM ALL ABOUT SELF-DETERMINATION. Will. Control. I determine my path in life. I decide my failures and successes. Screw fate. Destiny can kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/i-am-all-about-self-determination-will-control-i-determine-my-path-in/)

[Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/)

[Browse all 3,068 Determination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Repentance isn't only sorrow for past sins, it's also a determination to now do the will of God as He reveals it to us",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Aiden Wilson Tozer"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-sins-it-s-also-a-determination/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Determination"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-sins-it-s-also-a-determination/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_determination_repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-si_2238602.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_determination_repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-si_2238602.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_determination_repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-si_2238602.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Repentance isn't only sorrow for past sins, it's also a determination to now do the will of God as He…” — Aiden Wilson Tozer",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Aiden Wilson Tozer",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Repentance isn't only sorrow for past...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-sins-it-s-also-a-determination/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/repentance-isn-t-only-sorrow-for-past-sins-it-s-also-a-determination/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
