Godly Sorrow

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

This might seem a harsh step after talking about a broken spirit and contrite heart in the previous post but part of what produces change in our life is true sorrow and repentance.

In Hebrew their are two words that present a picture of true repentance. The first word is nacham which means  “to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted.” The second Hebrew word is shuv which means “to return, turn back, refresh, repair, restore.”  From the word shuv we get teshuvah which means repentance.

How do these two words define repentance? First you have to understand what sin really is. The Hebrew word for sin is chet. The simplest way to describe sin is disconnecting yourself from God, His word or His ways. Committing murder is obviously sin, but not drawing close to Him, not praying, pulling away, or trying to fix things on your own are all technically sin.

Have you ever thought about the times you have pulled away from the Lord and later you realize how you robbed yourself of His peace and comfort and perhaps you were so convicted that you felt the regret and sorrow so deeply? In Christianity we tend to put more focus on that regret and sorrow aspect of repentance, in the Jewish culture they focus on the return because ultimately we want to always being drawing near to God. Ultimately we don’t look back but look forward towards God.

For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 2 Corinthians 7:11

Paul describes Godly sorrow as having produced:

• Earnestness
• Clearing of yourselves.
• Indignation (anger at what we have done).
• Fear.
• Longing to do right, draw near
• Zeal.
• Punishment

Godly sorrow is a heart that desires to change and do better. Worldly sorrow is only sorry that a person got busted for their actions or attitudes.

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. ³¹ Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Ezekiel 18:30-31

From a broken heart to a new heart, from a downcast spirit to a new spirit speaks of healing and wholeness. With our new heart the word says that our hearts will rejoice (Psalm 105:3) and we will experience “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). We will find “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Developing a repentant heart that seeks to remove any obstacles that we have thrown up between us and the Lord needs to become a natural part of our walk with the Lord. Try to develop time with the Lord each day and seek Him like David did when he would say:

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
²⁴ And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalms 139:23-24

If you love to journal, take notes on what the Lord puts on your heart. Think about what Paul describes Godly sorrow producing and pray these verses over yourself.