Regret Quote by Kevin DeYoung
““There is an eternal difference between regret and repentance. Regret feels bad about past sins. Repentance turns away from past sins. Regret looks to our own circumstances. Repentance looks to God. Most of us are content with regret. We just want to feel bad for awhile, have a good cry, enjoy the cathartic experience, bewail our sin, and talk about how sorry we are. But we don’t want to change. We don’t want to deal with God.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Gospel of the Kingdom by Kevin DeYoung, 2019
Regret focuses on personal past sins; repentance looks to God and seeks change, not merely feeling bad.
In simple terms: Regret = feeling bad; repentance = change.
Key Takeaway
Choose repentance over regret for true transformation.
Themes
spirituality
repentance
regret
change
Mood
reflective
spiritual
Type
theological
practical
When to use this quote
- personal counseling
- faith formation
- church teaching
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
theology of sin
psychology of guilt
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps turn regret into repentance?
- How does focusing on God alter personal guilt?
A Different Perspective
Regret can feel cathartic but may stall growth.
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