cherished sin

8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

During my college years I experienced ongoing feelings of guilt over a sin for which I had asked forgiveness many times. I couldn't understand why the burden of it never lifted.

Years later the Lord showed me 2 Corinthians 7:10, “Godly grief produces a repentance.” I realized that I had never developed a godly grief over that sin. I regretted it because I knew it wasn't God's will for my life—but I had no real sorrow over it. In fact, I had “cherished” sin in my heart (Psalm 66:18), hanging on to it emotionally, though I had let go of it physically. I had done the right things, but I still felt the wrong things.

God's will was for me to act in obedience immediately rather than waiting until I felt like it. However, I would not enjoy full freedom from the sin-burden until I let him change my heart as well. I wept before the Lord and said, “I want to have godly grief for this sin so I can be free, but I don't have it, Lord! What can I do?” His tender response was, “Pray for it, child.” I began to pray for godly sorrow over that cherished sin. It came at first like a gentle morning shower, but ultimately it hit me like a downpour.

You may say, “But I can't change the way I feel.” That's why it's called “godly grief.” It's a work of God. The change in our feelings will come from a change in our hearts. “God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:19-20).

God is waiting for us to ask him to change our hearts and bring about the supernatural work of true repentance. He's looking for our willingness to let go of sin, both physically and emotionally. God will not let the issue rest until repentance takes up full residency in the heart. Why?

Because until the heart changes, we will continue to be at an overwhelming risk of returning to sinful actions. —Beth Moore bethmoore.org

seeking: Father, what have you revealed to me about my lack of repentance? What godly sorrow am I experiencing at this moment?

responding: Have I ever turned from a sin and ceased the activity, yet continued to cherish it to some degree in my heart? Did I eventually return to that sin? Why or why not?

Dear Father, please help me discern between false guilt and the conviction the Holy Spirit brings because of cherished sin. I desire your forgiveness and am willing to let go of my sin. Please change my heart and mind and let my attitude bring honor to you. In the strong name of Jesus, amen.

following: True repentance is the result of godly grief.

our journey