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2 Corinthians 7:10 - Sorrow; Godly or Worldly?

2 Corinthians 7:10 - Sorrow; Godly or Worldly?

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

Paul teaches here the important doctrine of repentance. He 
states that there is a vast difference between repentance and regret. 
Repentance is from God and is a sorrow that draws people closer to God and 
brings them to a place of confessing and forsaking sin. Regret is from 
the world; its drives people away from God and into the hand of 
Satan. For example, Peter showed repentance and was forgiven; Judas 
showed regret and took his own life. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines] 

Regret involves the mind primarily, and remorse involves the 
emotions.  But repentance includes a change of mind, a hatred for sin, and 
a willingness to make things right.  If the will is not touched, 
conviction has not gone deep enough.... If we are serious about repentance, 
we will do everything we can to clear things up. Remorse and regret 
do not go far enough; there must be repentance followed by 
restitution. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re 2Co. 
7] 

Pharaoh's "confession of sin" (9:27) was not sincere; he only 
wanted Moses to stop the plagues. True repentance involves a change of 
mind that leads to a change of life. Balaam (Num. 22:34), Saul (1 
Sam. 15:24), and Judas (Matt. 27:4) were all guilty of insincere 
confession of sin. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe 
re Exo.9:27] 

  We see from this passage that sorrow is not always a bad 
thing. Yet God wants our sorrow to lead us somewhere, to make a 
difference in our lives. Many people are sorry for their actions when they 
get caught in the act, but not sorry enough to stop sinning. What is 
the kind of sorrow God wants us to have? The kind of heartfelt 
remorse over sin that results in a change of behavior. (By the way, you 
will often hear this sort of thing referred to as "repentance.") When 
we allow God to make that change in us, sorrow is soon turned to 
joy.  
  Remember Peter from your readings in the Gospels and Acts? 
Three times Peter denied even knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:75). But in 
his sorrow and remorse afterward, he repented of his sin and went on 
to become a strong church leader.  
  When you are confronted with your wrongdoings, are you 
defensive or willing to change? Do you try to rationalize your behavior, 
or do you accept God's correction and make a change for the better? 
Responding in humble repentance can be difficult, but it will always be 
life-changing. [The One Year Bible for New Believers re 2Co. 7:10 mod.] 

  There is a difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow, 
though both are deeply felt. You can feel genuine sorrow over something 
you have done. Your mind can become consumed with your failure and 
offense against God and others. Judas felt this kind of sorrow. He 
betrayed the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver, the standard price 
of a slave. Yet his sorrow did not lead him to repent and to seek 
restoration with his fellow disciples, but rather to a lonely field where, 
in his anguish, he took his own life (Mt 27:3-5). Judas carried his 
sorrow to his grave.  
  How different Peter's sorrow was! Peter, too, failed Jesus on 
the night of His crucifixion. Peter also went out and wept bitterly 
(Lu 22:62). Yet Peter returned to Jesus and reaffirmed his love for 
Him (John 21:15-17). Peter was not only remorseful, he was also 
repentant. Peter's life changed. There is no record of Peter ever denying 
his Lord again, even when he was persecuted and threatened with 
death. Peter repented, turned his life around, and never committed that 
sin again.  
  Don't allow mere unhappiness over what you have done to rob 
you of genuine repentance. You can blame yourself and be angry with 
yourself for the sins you have committed, but that is not repentance. 
Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the gravity of your sins. Ask 
the Spirit to clearly show you how God views your character. When 
you see your sin from God's perspective, you will experience godly 
sorrow. [Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby re 
2Co. 7:10] 

Godly sorrow always leads to repentance. A believer who refuses 
to repent wallows around and eventually dwells in the realm of 
worldly sorrow. [Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible] 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us 
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 
(NKJV) 

"Happy are they whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are 
pardoned.   Romans 4:7 (ICB) 

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin 
is put out of sight!  Psalm 32:1 (NLT) 

Excellent Sermon on this Passage: Sorry Enough to Quit by Morris 
Venden 

http://www.programsnow.org/programs/vop/99/vops9907.ram