There are as many types of repentances as there are excuses, but saving repentance is a unique species of repentance given only by God. This causes a problem when ministers don't qualify whether they are speaking of common repentance (Greek word metamelomai), where someone like Judas, is merely sorry for their sins, or saving repentance (Greek word metanoia), where someone is able, by faith, to trust God will give him the grace to not repeat the sin he's repenting of. In saving repentance, not only the will toward sin is changed, but also, the sinner is given the faith to trust God will keep him (save him) from the sin repented of.

Common repentance is characterized by regret, emotional pain, or remorse, but without a permanent change of the will toward sin, and no power to permanently overcome the sin repented of.

Because there is no supernatural change of heart and mind, the unregenerate sinner will eventually return to sin like "a dog returns to his own vomit, and, a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire" (2 Peter2:22). This sinner can still be saved, but he must learn he can't savingly repent apart from the supernatural change of regeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Only God can “ give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you“ (Ezekiel 36:26). God says, “I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts” (Hebrews 8:10), and this alone enables saving repentance.

Saving Repentance is characterized by a supernatural change of the will toward sin, with the assurance God will enable the sinner to resist the sin he's repented of.

The Greek word for saving repentance (metanoia) means to change one’s mind and heart. But to change one’s mind and heart about what? It's a "package deal". You can't separate saving repentance from saving faith. Your mind and heart must be changed in order for you to see sin as God sees it; in order for you to see yourself as God sees you; in order for you to see Christ as He is. This can only happen by a supernatural change of heart and spirit. 

If God has supernaturally changed your heart and filled you with the Holy Spirit, you'll have the faith that He "will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it". (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is a clear, unambiguous statement of the saving faith needed for saving repentance.

It doesn't matter if you're Arminian or Calvinist or Restorationist...you can prevent false conversions. The problem isn't telling people to immediately repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ...the problem is telling people they're saved because of something they've done. Faithful Evangelical ministers examine seekers for Biblical evidence of supernatural regeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Here are five evidences God has saved you.

1) You are Obedient to God's Word
2) You have Power Over Sin
3) You are Led of the Holy Spirit
4) You Bear Fruit of the Holy Spirit
5) You Love God's Word and God's People

It's impossible to force or bribe God to save you, but a necessary result of God saving you is you'll bear good fruit. Whenever God supernaturally regenerates a heart and fills someone with the Holy Spirit, he will want to please God with a life of faith, working through love (Galatians 5:6). If you think you are saved, look for Biblical evidence.