I’m Sorry: Using Godly Grief for Repentance

“Godly grief is characterized by repentance; a turning away from sin.”

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV)

Grief is an emotion reflecting regret or sorrow over an event. Therefore, when we experience grief over our sin, we regret our actions or are feeling sorrow over what we’ve done. 

However, our grief can be of the world or godly. What’s the difference? 

Worldly grief regrets that your actions have negative consequences in your life, or that you have gotten caught in your sin. If a person is experiencing worldly grief, they may indeed be sorry for their actions, but may not be repentant. Godly grief regrets that our actions have grieved God himself, and recognizes that one has sinned against a holy God. Godly grief is characterized by repentance; a turning away from sin. 

Tim Keller writes in his book titled Forgiveness that worldly grief does not mean a person is sorry their sin has grieved God, but rather “because it grieved you or others (p. 56).” Worldly grief means you are primarily sorry for the consequences the sin has caused in your life. Godly grief on the other hand, “Recognize[s] and feel[s] poignantly what your sin is doing to God, you will have a deeper and more permanent motivation to turn away from the sin itself (p. 57).”

Another difference between worldly and godly grief is where we are led to after our sin. If one is experiencing worldly grief, they tend to turn inward, and dwell on the wreckage of their sin and feel shame and guilt. Godly grief instead leads one to Christ and His cross and the forgiveness He shows us. 

In the collection of Puritan prayers called The Valley of Vision, a prayer called “Yet I Sin” says, “Work in me more profound and abiding repentance; Give me the fullness of a godly grief that trembles and fears, yet ever trusts and loves, which is ever powerful, and ever confident; Grant that through the tears of repentance I may see more clearly the brightness and glories of the saving cross (p. 125).” 

May we be moms who grieve our sin in a godly way rather than in a worldly way, and may our godly grief be evidence to others of the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus.

Action Step:

Next time you find yourself asking for forgiveness from God, take the time to reflect on whether you are experiencing worldly or godly grief over your sin. Are you truly interested in repentance for the glory of God, or simply sorrow because your sin has led to negative consequences in your life?

Written by Michelle, mom of 1