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Scripture Reading:  2 Corinthians 7:6-12

Godly Sorrow Over Sin

Intro.

1.  Sin is not real to people anymore; doesn’t mean it is not real, Rom. 3:23.

  a.  Against God (Psa. 51:4), others (Gen. 4:9) & self (Eccl. 12:13).

  b.  Enormity of sin is fully revealed in the sinless Savior, Rom. 5:8-9.

2.  Sin must be dealt with by repentance, Acts 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9.

3.  Repentance is real in our lives when it comes from godly sorrow.

4.  Investigate sin, godly sorrow & repentance of sins.

 

I.  HOW WE VIEW OUR SIN.

  A.  First, We Must Understand Sin, 1 Jno. 3:4; 5:17; Jas. 4:17; Matt. 7:23.

    1.  Knowledge of truth necessary to assess ourselves before God, Acts 2:36-37.

    2.  Desire to eliminate sin, Acts 2:37.

    3.  Fear of God essential, Rom. 3:18.

  B. Then, We Must Know What Sin Does.

    1.  Alienates us from God, Col. 1:21.

    2.  Defiles our heart & life, 2 Cor. 7:1.

    3.  Puts us under God’s wrath, Rom. 1:18.

  C. We Must Change How We Perceive Sin.

    1.  Big-Little distinctions.

      a.  Lessen seriousness / False sense of security / Complacency & neglect.

      b.  Horrible / Bad / “Everybody does it.”

      c.  Jesus didn’t classify sin, Lk. 13:1-5.

      d.  All sin brings death; different consequences…same result, Rom. 3:23

    2.  “Nobody’s hurt - It’s nobody’s busi­ness.”

      a.  Attitude covers up sin & refuses help in overcoming sin.

      b.  Somebody is always hurt by sin!

      c.  It is love’s business, 1 Pet. 4:8.

    3.  Ceasing sin = Repentance.

      a.  While repentance demands ceasing sin (Rev. 9:20-21), ceasing sin doesn’t automatically mean repentance has occurred.

      b.  Danger of being caught / Risks of the sin / To get people “off your back.”

      c.  Ceasing must reflect repentant heart, cf. Ezek. 18:30-32; Hosea 6:1-6.

    4.  We must have godly sorrow toward our sin, 2 Cor. 7:9-10.

      a.  Sorrow of the world is selfish.

      b.  Godly sorrow empties oneself before God, Psa. 51:18; 34:18.

 

II. HOW GODLY SORROW RESPONDS TO PERSONAL SIN, 2 Cor. 7:10.  (Sorrow: “mental suffering, pain, anguish,” grief)

  A.  Sorrow of the World:

    1.  Anguish over the effects of sin upon sinner:

      a.  Loss of personal advantage, Heb. 11:17.

      b.  Caught & punished, Gen. 4:9-14.

      c.  “I’d do it again if I knew I could get away with it!”

    2.  Shows an impenitent heart, Rom. 2:3-5.

    3.  Produces death, cf. Matt. 27:3-5.

      a.  Because it doesn’t turn one back to God!

      b.  Reveals an irreverent, hardened heart.

      c.  Inevitably, it breaks the spirit, Prov. 15:13, 15.

  B.  Godly Sorrow.

    1.  Anguish over the sin itself, Psa. 38:18.

       -Doesn’t make excuses for sin; it makes changes, Lk. 19:8.

    2.  Changes one’s will & actions, Lk. 22:62, 32; 1 Tim. 1:12-15

    3.  The results of godly sorrow (mourning, 7:7), 2 Cor. 7:11:

      a.  Earnest care:  To make things right (7:7).

      b.  Clearing:  Through necessary changes (1 Jno. 1:9).

      c.  Indignation: Toward one’s sin (1 Cor. 5:2; Psa. 51:4).

      d.  Fear:  Of God (cf. Hos. 6:4-6).

      e.  Longing:  To be right with God (Acts 9:9, 11).

      f.  Zeal:  Fervent to make corrections & stand in truth (7:7).

      g.  Avenging:  Of the sin & its effects.

      h.  Purity:  God’s approval obtained.

 

III.  ONLY GODLY SORROW PRODUCES GENUINE REPENTANCE & OBTAINS GOD’S FORGIVENESS, Acts 3:19; 8:22-24; Jas. 4:8-10.

 

Conclusion

1.  Our view of sin influences how we chose to deal with our own sin.

2.  We must have godly sorrow over our sin … Repent -- Cease -- Be Forgiven -- Rejoice in God.