Articles
Two Kinds of Sorrow
* * * * * * * * * *
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Cor. 7:10)
* * * * * * * * * *
In this verse, Paul contrasts two different kinds of sorrow. As we navigate the tortured pathways of life, it is important that we recognize the difference between the two. The interlocking stories of King Saul and David provide an excellent illustration of how these two types of sorrow play out.
Consider first the sorrow that is "of the world." This is the natural consequence of the poor choices we make in life. We're sorry we got caught. We're sorry our dumb decisions have inflicted pain on others. We're sorry we are such idiots. This is the kind of “I’m sorry” that never makes any progress toward improvement. King Saul confessed his assorted sins to Samuel, David, and others on several occasions; but his goal in every apology was merely to rehabilitate his reputation before the people. His sorrow did not address the core problem in his life, so he never changed the behaviors that got him into trouble. His sorrow did not bring healing but a descent into mental illness.
In contrast to Saul's sorrow, there is a sorrow that is "godly." This is a sorrow that grows out of an encounter with God. David experienced this kind of sorrow on several occasions in his life, but especially in his affair with Bathsheba. Like Saul, David made some serious mistakes in his life. But unlike his nemesis, David's conscience drove him in contrition to the throne of God. He sought forgiveness, of course; but more importantly, he sought a reconnection with the God whose goodness he had offended. The damage that he had inflicted on others, and even on his own reputation, was of no consequence compared to the damage he had inflicted on his friendship with God. "Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight" (Psa. 51:4)--these are the words of a man whose greatest fear is being cut off from the God who created Him. This is the kind of sorrow that leads to genuine repentance and restoration.
When we mess up our lives, it is good that we feel sorry for what we have done. But as we agonize over our foolishness, we need to analyze what we are sorry for. Are we sorry that we got caught? Are we sorry that people will think badly of us? Are we sorry that this mistake will tarnish our image among our friends? If this is where our mind goes, we're wallowing in "the sorrow of the world." This is nothing more than self-pity, and it will only set us up for further failure down the road.
We must learn the art of godly sorrow. We must learn how to turn our face toward God, to pour out our grief before His throne and seek His forgiveness and acceptance. Only then can we fix what's broken in our lives and repair the damage that we have inflicted on our relationships with others.
It's the only kind of sorrow that we will not regret later.
--David
