Six Marks of Repentance - Thomas Boston

Thomas Watson identified six characteristics of real repentance, based closely on Psalm 51.1-12

These characteristics can provide the template for our prayers.

1. Sight. “My sin is always before me” (v. 3). No one can truly repent without the Holy Spirit enabling us to see the reality of our sin.

2. Sorrow. “Against you, you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight” (v. 4a). Repentance involves genuine sorrow over sin, the way it has grieved God, and what it has cost him. False repentance is sorrow over the consequences of sin, the way it has grieved you, and what it has cost you. Self-pity may appear to be repentance, but it is not.

3. Responsibility. “You are proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge” (v. 4b). Real repentance makes no excuses, shifts no blame, takes full responsibility, and readily accepts any consequences without complaint. This is true confession — agreeing with the judge.

4. Humility. “Surely I was sinful at birth… ” (v. 5). In real repentance there is a change in one’s whole attitude towards oneself. You become dependent on God and others. The myth of self-sufficiency is shattered.

5. Hatred. “What is evil in your sight” (v. 4). If there has been real sorrow for sin (and not just its consequences) you will come to hate the sin itself. Watson says it is to unmask our sin and to see it as the “most misshapen monster” that it is.

6. Change. “Grant me a willing spirit” (v. 12). If the other five elements are present, you will forsake the sin. Its power over you will be weakened and you will at least make progress out of it.