8 Signs That You Are Truly Born Again
Being born again signifies the point in someone’s life when they decide to follow Christ. It is a time of leaving behind an old way of life and starting a new one centered on faith and God’s will. It involves admitting that one is a sinner, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, and seeking a relationship with God empowered by the Holy Spirit.
You may ask, now that I’m born again, what are some signs that I am truly born again? It’s important to ask this question. In a way, it serves as a personal examination of your faith, ensuring that you are not just moving according to religious tradition but are transformed and living a life being led by the Holy Spirit.
Signs that you are truly born again include:
Not Ashamed of the Gospel
One strong sign that you are truly born again is that you are no longer ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Romans 1:16, Paul declares, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” When your heart has been transformed, the gospel becomes something you boldly identify with.
Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). This does not mean you are perfect or fearless, but that your love for Christ outweighs your fear of people.
Even in a culture that may mock or reject biblical truth, you are willing to stand firm, knowing the gospel is life-giving. Like the early believers who spoke God’s word “with boldness” (Acts 4:31), a transformed heart openly values and honors the message of salvation.
2. Living a Life of Repentance
Repentance is not a one-time act during salvation, but an ongoing attitude of the heart that turns away from sin. The Bible says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10).
A born-again believer is sensitive to sin and quick to seek God’s forgiveness rather than excuse wrongdoing. Proverbs 28:13 reminds us, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
True repentance involves both confession and a desire for change. While believers still fall short, they no longer live comfortably in sin. Instead, there is a continual turning of the heart toward righteousness.
3. Desire for Holiness
When God gives you a new heart, your attitude toward sin changes. You no longer make peace with it but long to please God instead. 1 Peter 1:15 reminds us, “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” This desire does not come from legalism, but from love for God and gratitude for His grace.
Romans 6:22 explains that “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” While you may still stumble, you are no longer comfortable living in sin. Instead, there is a daily hunger to be transformed into Christ’s likeness.
This inward desire for righteousness is evidence of the Holy Spirit at work, shaping your life to reflect God’s character.
4. Desire to Pray
A born-again Christian longs to commune with God, seeking His guidance, strength, and presence daily. Prayer becomes more than a religious duty. It becomes a lifeline and a source of comfort. Prayer reflects a new relationship with God, marked by dependence and intimacy.
Sometimes you may not know what to pray for or how to pray. But Romans 8:26 assures us that, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Though prayer may vary in length or emotion, the desire to turn to God daily is evident.
5. Desire for the Word of God
Psalm 119:103 declares, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” When your heart has been made new, reading the Bible is no longer dry or optional; it is essential nourishment for your soul. A born-again believer longs to hear God’s voice, find truth, and be shaped by His promises.
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). This growing appetite for the Word of God is strong evidence that the Holy Spirit is actively producing new life and spiritual growth within you.
6. Being Led by the Holy Spirit
A born-again Christian has the Spirit of God within them, guiding their thoughts, convictions, and daily decisions. Romans 8:14 states, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” This leading is not merely emotional, but is rooted in truth and aligned with God’s Word. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide believers into all truth (John 16:13), helping them discern right from wrong and walk in obedience.
Galatians 5:25 encourages, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit,” highlighting an active, ongoing dependence on God. A born-again heart is sensitive to the Spirit’s conviction and direction.
7. Desire to Serve God
When Christ transforms the heart, service flows naturally out of gratitude and love, not obligation. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” A born-again believer longs to honor God through obedience and sacrificial service, whether seen or unseen.
Romans 12:10-11 urges us, “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” This reflects passion rather than reluctance. Though abilities and callings differ, a born-again Christian desires to use their time, gifts, and resources for God’s glory.
8. Living by Faith
Living by faith involves trusting God and living in His presence to know his will and how to do it. Romans 1:17 states that “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” When the heart is transformed, trust in the Lord becomes a daily practice, especially in uncertain circumstances.
Born-again Christians learn to depend on God’s promises, even when outcomes are unseen, since “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Hebrews 11:6 also reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Though challenges and doubts may arise, a transformed heart consistently returns to trusting God’s character and Word.
This steady reliance on the Lord, rather than relying on self or other things, is strong evidence of a genuine, faith-filled life in Christ.