Do you declare to eat better in the morning only to repent again that evening?
Maybe your prayer goes something like this: Lord, please forgive me for the poor choices I made today. Help me to eat better tomorrow.
If you find yourself in this cycle of sin, repent, sin, repent, it is possible the prayer is not sincere. When I recognize this cycle in my life and truly analyze my heart, I realize what I meant was something more like this: Lord, tell me what I can get away with eating today with no short-term or long-term ramifications (like heart burn, weight gain, or cancer).
2 Cor. 7:10 states, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
Let’s examine worldly sorrow versus true repentance.
Sorrow True Repentance
Self-centered God-centered
Focus is on ramifications of choices Focus is on relationship
with God
Desire to look/feel/do better Desire to be pure
Motivated by love for self Motivated by love for God
Short-lived Long-lasting
Leads to living death Leads to abundant life
Residual regret No regret
No intention of walking away from sin Includes turning away
from sin
Where are you? If you see yourself in the “Sorrow” column, choose today to repent and turn away from your wrong choices. Instead turn to God.
