GODLY SORROW
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” KJV
In biblical counseling and in daily relationships, we each face situations where our sin has harmed someone else, or someone’s sin has harmed us. And, we live in a fallen world where we and others often want to skirt over sin and quickly move on. Yet, the Scriptures call us to Godly sorrow that evidences itself in fruit(s) of repentance.
Godly sorrow leads to the following:
- Earnest Care, Earnestness: Not a carelessness or a winking at sin, but an earnest desire to bear forth the fruits of repentance by eagerly putting off the old relational patterns and putting on new ways of relating to God and others.
- Eagerness to Clear Yourselves: Apologia: Roused to demonstrate a changed heart through an active desire to show forth change in attitude and action. This involves, making no excuses, offering a clear admission of guilt, motivated to receive correction, leading to a changed heart and actions.
- Indignation: Indignation with themselves rather than those who had accused them. Mourning my sin, owning my sin and indignant over my sin’s consequences.
- Alarm/Fear: Fear of God, of consequences, and of falling back into sin and disgracing God’s grace and damaging those I love.
- Longing: Desire for restoration and reconciliation with God and others. Desire for renewed relationships of trust and affection—doing what is needed to accomplish relational renewal.
- Zeal/Concern: Passion for doing, thinking, and living right for God’s glory and the good of those I love.
- Avenging/Readiness to See Justice Done: Readiness to right the wrong by making restitution, upholding holiness, and putting one’s house in order.
CALL TO ACTION: Uphold holiness and righteousness wherever you go today.
PRAYER: We declare that you shall have victory in every facet of your life, in Jesus Name. Amen.
