What are some of the characteristics of repentance?

Jeff Pollard explains in this video that true, biblical repentance has certain characteristics that Paul lays out in 2 Corinthians 7. Specifically, repentance brings about a sorrow for sin, an indignation and a hatred towards sin, and a zeal to strive after godly things.

Those who have repented realize that they have offended God and they seek to be reconciled with God. They desire to make restitution and do whatever it takes to forsake sin. They yearn to walk with Christ and have their lives honor Him. 

2 Corinthians 7:11 (NKJV) – “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”  

True repentance has certain elements that Paul lays out in detail in 2nd Corinthians chapter 7 where he says, what vehement desire, what clearing of yourselves, what revenge, and he gives a wonderful list of what we might call the characteristics of the true portrait of repentance. And when those things are alive, at least in some measure, we have reason to believe that we're dealing with someone who's truly repentant. When someone genuinely understands that they have offended God and not just gotten in trouble. Their hearts desire is to be right with God. They cast themselves upon God, trusting Him in Jesus Christ to forgive them.

And when they do that, there comes that Holy Spirit wrought desire to clear yourself. You'll do whatever you need to do to get straight with people. You will make restitution. You will go to those that you've offended. You will do really whatever it takes to say, I'm done with this sin.

I have forgiven this sin and I want to walk with Christ. I want my life to honor him. So those are the kind of things that we look for.