The older I get, the more evidence is shown me of the consequences of sin. Sin is in our world, and as a result, we have bad things in our world. It’s evident in our own lives too. I’m sure we can all look back at our life and see there have always been direct correlations between our actions and the fruit of those actions. In education we would call that “cause and effect.” When we make good, Bible-based decisions, I dare say, the consequences always are always good. The flip side of that is, even though God can cause all things to work for good (Rom 8:28), He does not spare us of the consequences of our choices when they are bad choices (not in line with His will). I believe He does this because we need to feel the pain of our sin in order to have Godly sorrow which leads to repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Godly and worldly sorrow? I know what this verse says is the difference, but how do I differentiate between different types of sorrow? How do I know it’s the right kind of sorrow…Godly sorrow?
I used to think Godly sorrow was feeling really bad about what you had done and promising to try to never do it again. I’m not saying that isn’t part of it, but when I read a statement in a Beth Moore book awhile back, I realized there was more to it. Think about this…..Is it possible to commit a sin, feel bad about it, but still cherish that sin in your life? In other words, have you ever done something that you knew you shouldn’t do, felt truly bad about it, tried not to do it again, but actually thought about the actual moment the sin took place and remembered it as a good memory? Maybe it’s just me I confess, but I have. The problem in this scenario is the “cherishing” of that sin in my heart. I suggest that this is the difference between Godly Sorrow and Worldly Sorrow. Both “sorrows”, if you will, include regret and sadness about what has happened, but the two lead to very opposing ends. One brings life and one brings death. Apparently, it should be important to us to figure out which one we have and make it a point to have the right kind of sorrow about our sins.
As I mentioned before, I may feel truly bad about what I’ve done and commit to try and not repeat the mistake, but if I cherish that sin in my heart, there is an evermore present danger in me repeating that sin continually thus leading me down the path of destruction and death. Godly sorrow isn’t just about feeling bad and repenting, but it’s about feeling complete disgust about that sin, so much so that the idea of it occurring again makes you feel sick and ashamed. Understand I’m not talking about letting guilt reign or even show its face in our lives as a Christians, but we should never hold sin in a good light, even secretly in our memories or heart.
When I think about sin, its consequences and Godly sorrow, I think of the story of David, Bathsheba and their child who died. When Bathsheba became pregnant, I’m sure David thought, “Crap! Now what do I do?” I’m sure he was sad about getting caught, but his first reaction was to try and fix the situation to hide his sin. God called David “a man after His own heart”, so no one can tell me that David didn’t feel bad about having Uriah killed. But, what he felt wasn’t Godly sorrow, it was worldly sorrow. David continued on with life without being disgusted by his own sin. God had to get his attention. He did by allowing the son of this affair with Bathsheba to become ill and die. God had David’s attention then and David had Godly sorrow. 2 Samuel 12:16 tells us the “David pleaded with God for the child.” You know, as a parent, David had to be telling God, “Don’t blame the child. My sin is not his fault.” God doesn’t promise us to not feel pain. In fact, sin always leads to pain. God however, can take that pain and shape us into the Child of God He knows we can be. If we think of it that way, Godly Sorrow isn’t sad…..it brings joy….eternal life. God forgave David when he had Godly Sorrow. He also granted David and Bathsheba another child, and Christ eventually descended from that couple. Kinda like the commercial, “Don’t be sad, get Glad!” Glad with Godly Sorrow that leads to eternal life!
DISCUSSION: What do you think is the difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow?
