2 Corinthians 7:10

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10.

There are two kinds of sorrow. One is worldly and the other Godly. One brings life and the other death. I am not talking about life and death of the flesh but of our eternal soul.

Godly sorrow brings us to a place of brokenness because we understand the cost of our sin. We understand that the cross of Jesus Christ was the payment for our sin. It’s understanding that the finished work of Jesus, though his death, burial, and resurrection, was the gift of God to redeem us and make us right with God. It’s the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

This is where humility begins and pride dies. You go to God and ask him for forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteous.”

Sorrow like this leaves no regret because the word says there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1. The Bible also says, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12. How can you regret something that has been forgiven and forgotten?

The reason Godly sorrow brings repentance is because you are undone when you recognize who you are and who He is. You become aware of the overwhelming, unconditional love of God and how much you owe, and yet, He has paid it all.

Conversely, worldly sorrow is rooted in selfishness and pride. This sorrow stems from the repercussion of being caught. There is no recognition of the price being paid by the ones you hurt and the One who died for those sins.

Worldly sorrow focus on your own pain and suffering for the penalty you are facing. Whether its a broken relationship, loss of trust, loss of respect, debt, jail time, and other consequence, people experiencing worldly sorrow are saddened by their own loss, not by the wrong they’ve done or the hurts they have caused.

There isn’t repentance because there is no remorse. There is no remorse because there is no awareness of sin. We repent of sin. If you don’t admit your sin there is nothing to repent for.

So the tears, frustration, anger, depression, and desire to make things right is fruitless with worldly sorrow. The behavior will return and the cycle will continue. Eventually spiritual death occurs.

We see the application of worldly sorrow versus Godly sorrow by looking at the lives of Cain and king David.

In the book of Genesis Cain kills his bother in a fit of jealousy. God comes to Cain to address what happened and Cain’s self-righteous, self-centered spirit pours out of him.

The first thing Cain does is try to defend his actions by saying to God, “am I my brothers keeper?” Genesis 4:9. Then, when God points out his sin of murder, Cain never admits God is right (repentance) and he doesn’t ask for forgiveness.

God proceeds to speak of the consequences of his actions by justly imposing restrictions and rules. This is when Cain’s worldly sorrow comes into play. Immediately he declares, “my punishment is more than I can bear.” Genesis 4:13. He turns inward and starts worrying about himself and how he will suffer. He begins to focus on how he will be hurt and maybe killed by someone else. He only cares and is concerned about what happens to him.

Not once do we see Cain cry out in sorrow for the sin he committed or the harm he caused his brother.

Contrast that with king David. When we read the book of 2 Samuel Chapter 11, the sinful actions of David are revealed. First, he commits adultery with a married women, whom he gets pregnant. Then he plots a scheme to get her husband killed.

Fast forward a few months. God sends a messenger by the name of Nathan to tell him of his sore displeasure and what his consequences will be. Nathan proceeds to tell him that calamity will come on his house, other men will steep with his wives, and his son will die. David’s immediate response is, “I have sinned against the Lord.” 2 Samuel 12:13.

This is Godly sorrow. It is humility in action. David acknowledges his wrong. He understands the cost of his sin and he is able to receive just punishment for what he has done. His eyes are focused on God and he is aware of his brokenness and need for God.

David’s heart of repentance is clear when he prays, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgression. Wash away all my inequity and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1-2. Again, in Psalm 51:3-5, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” Then again in Psalm 51:7, “Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.”

David’s focus was admitting he was wrong, telling God he knew he needed his help, and becoming a better man. When his consequences came he “got up from the ground. After he put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.” 2 Samuel 12:20.

He worshiped! That my dear friends is Godly sorrow. Such a vast difference between the two.

Two kinds of sorrows. Two kinds of results. How will you respond the next time you sin?