Worldly and Godly Sorrow

It was good to study 2 Corinthians 7 this morning. Here's verse 10:

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret,

but worldly sorrow brings death.

I'm going to paraphrase Kent Hughes on these two types of sorrows. I felt they're really helpful to think through in bringing up children. Which kind of sorrow for sin do we see? They will need help, as much as we do in pursuing godly sorrow.

Worldly Sorrow

Grief for oneself.

Centered on self.

Not grief for sin against God.

It grieves over consequences.

It aches with embarrassment.

It focuses on its own hurt.

It is self-pitying.

Godly Sorrow

Is a sorrow that comes from knowing your actions are unpleasing to God.

Blessed are those who mourn: they mourn over their sins before God.

Such sorrow is blessed because it drives us to God and to repentance.

Godly grief in our children is necessary for salvation and ongoing spiritual health. Sorrow is not enough. A child must own that his or her sin is against God and must be repentant before God.

We must never be fooled by tears because they often are tears of self-pity or anger.