Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV
If we’re being honest, we all know that sin gives pleasure for a season but always falls short of the lasting joy it promises; as a matter of fact, sin always leads to sorrow. Yet there’s a huge difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. Godly sorrow, or what we call conviction, brings us to repentance. As we yield to God, we turn away from our sin, we stop doing the things that lead us into sin and we head in a different direction. Godly sorrow leads us to make a change, and once the change is made, leaves us with no regret.
In contrast, worldly sorrow leads not to repentance but to death. Worldly sorrow leads us to lie and deceive others to keep our sins a secret. It tells us if no one is aware, the sorrow will go away. It makes us lose sight of the fact the our choices effect those around us, and hurt those we love. It leads us to a mentality that says, “I refuse to suffer for this!” Worldly sorrow tells us that others need to accept us for who we are instead of expecting us to change. It may cause us to turn away from sin for a moment, to alleviate our guilty feelings and satisfy those around us, but it never leads us to completely turn away and permanently change directions.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Here’s the good news, there is always a way out of sin! God promises to always provide one. Change is never easy, especially when the enemy is involved, but God assures us that repentance leads to salvation and leaves no regret! We are not held accountable for temptation, as the Bible says, temptation is common to mankind. So the real problem isn’t the desires within us, it’s what we do with those desires. We always have a choice; we can yield to sinful desires, or we can take the way out.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord Acts 3:19 NIV