What does the Bible say about godly sorrow?

Godly sorrow is a deep, inward mourning over sin that leads to repentance and transformation. The Bible describes godly sorrow as a profound emotional response to sin that is marked by genuine grief and yearning for holiness. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul writes, 'Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.' This sorrow is not merely a feeling of regret over consequences, but a true lamentation for the offense against God. It arises from the Holy Spirit's work in the believer's heart, bringing them close to God's standard of holiness and revealing the depth of their transgressions. A godly man understands that even after receiving grace and forgiveness, the battle against sin continues. He recognizes the presence of indwelling sin and feels deeply troubled by it. As Thomas Watson illustrates, a godly person weeps not only for the sins they commit but also for the corruption that remains in them, lamenting how they fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This type of sorrow is both holy and hopeful, leading the believer to draw closer to Christ for cleansing and strength to fight against sin.

How do we know godly sorrow is true?

True godly sorrow is characterized by heartfelt repentance and a desire to turn from sin towards God. Godly sorrow is distinguished from superficial remorse by its lasting impact and transformative power. It is characterized not just by tears, but by a deep conviction of sin and a fervent desire to seek God's forgiveness. The fruit of such sorrow is evident in a believer's life—it leads to genuine repentance and a commitment to forsake sin (Psalm 51:17). It is important to note that true repentance involves a change in the heart and actions, aligning with God's will rather than merely feeling sorry for one's mistakes. In addition, godly sorrow is often coupled with joy because it springs from the recognition of God's love and the grace He provides through Christ. As Watson emphasized, 'A melting heart is the chief branch of the covenant of grace.' This assurance that our sins are forgiven allows believers to mourn their sin in a way that enriches their relationship with God, affirming that the sorrow is genuine and rooted in a desire for holiness.

Why is weeping for sin important for Christians?

Weeping for sin is important for Christians because it demonstrates a contrite heart and aligns one's desires with God's holiness. Weeping for sin is a vital aspect of the Christian experience, reflecting a heart that is sensitive to the weight of sin against a holy God. As Thomas Watson outlines, a godly person recognizes that their sin has implications—not only does it impact their own spiritual life, but it also causes harm to the name of God (Romans 2:24). This sorrow invites believers to acknowledge their transgressions honestly before God, cultivating a spirit of humility and dependence on His grace. Moreover, tears of repentance are precious in God's sight, as they symbolize a broken and contrite spirit. Psalm 51:17 reminds us that God does not despise such a heart. Weeping highlights the contrast between the believer's desire for holiness and the reality of their shortcomings. This lamentation leads to a greater appreciation of Christ's sacrificial love, helping Christians to understand the depths of their sin and the richness of God's mercy, ultimately deepening their relationship with Him.

A Godly Man Weeps - Thomas Watson | Full Transcript & Audio

A Godly Man Weeps by Thomas Watson from his The Godly Man's Picture David sometimes sang with his harp, and sometimes the organ of his eye wept. I water my couch with my tears. Christ calls his spouse his dove. The dove is a weeping creature. Grace dissolves and liquefies the soul.

CAUSING A SPIRITUAL THAW. THE SORROW OF THE HEART RUNS OUT AT THE EYE.

Psalm 31, verse 9. The rabbis report that the same night on which Israel departed from Egypt towards Canaan, all the idols of Egypt were broken down by lightning and earthquake. Just so, at that very time at which men go forth from their natural condition towards heaven, All the idols of sin in the heart must be broken down by repentance. A melting heart is the chief branch of the covenant of grace, and the product of the Spirit. I will pour upon the house of David the Spirit of grace, and they shall look upon me, whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him.

Question. But why is a godly man a weeper? Is not sin pardoned, which is the ground of joy? Has he not had a transforming work upon his heart? Why, then, does he weep?

Answer. A godly man finds enough reasons for weeping. First he weeps for indwelling sin, the law in his members, the outbursts and first risings of sin. His nature is a poisoned fountain. A regenerate person grieves that he carries with him that which is enmity to God. His heart is like a wide sea in which there are innumerable creeping things, vain, sinful thoughts. A child of God laments hidden wickedness. He has more evil in him than he knows of. There are many windings in his heart. which he cannot trace, an unknown world of sin, who can understand his errors?

Secondly, a godly man weeps for clinging corruption. If he could get rid of sin, there would be some comfort, but he cannot shake off this viper. Sin cleaves to him like leprosy. Though a child of God forsakes his sin, yet sin will not forsake him. Concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season. So, though the dominion of sin is taken away, yet its life is prolonged for a season, and while sin lives, it molests. The Persians were daily enemies to the Romans, and would always be invading their frontiers. So sin wars against the soul, and there is no cessation of war until death. Will not this cause tears?

Thirdly, a child of God weeps that he is sometimes overcome by the prevalence of corruption. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Paul was like a man carried downstream. How often a saint is overpowered by pride and passion! When David had sinned, he steeped his soul in the brinish tears of repentance. It cannot but grieve a regenerate person to think he should be so foolish as, after he has felt the smart of sin, still to put this fire in his bosom again.

Fourthly, a godly heart grieves that he cannot be more holy. It troubles him that he shoots so short of the rule and standard which God has set. I would, says he, love the Lord with all my heart. But how defective my love is! How far short I come of what I should be! No, of what I might have been! What can I see in my life? but either blanks or blots.

Fifthly, a godly man sometimes weeps out of the sense of God's love. Gold is the finest and most solid of all metals, yet it is soonest melted in the fire. Gracious hearts, which are golden hearts, are the soonest melted into tears by the fire of God's love. I once knew a holy man who was walking in his garden and shedding plenty of tears, when a friend came on him accidentally and asked him why he wept. He broke forth into this pathetic expression, O the love of Christ! O the love of Christ! Thus have we seen the cloud melted into water by the sunbeams.

A godly person weeps because the sins he commits are in some sense worse than the sins of other men. The sin of a justified person is odious because he acts contrary to his own principles. He sins not only against the rule, but against his principles, against his knowledge, vows, prayers, hopes, and experiences. He knows how dearly sin will cost him, yet he adventures upon the forbidden fruit. The sin of a justified person is odious because it is a sin of unkindness. Peter's denying of Christ was a sin against love. Christ had enrolled him among the apostles. He had taken him up into the Mount of Transfiguration and shown him the glory of heaven in a vision. Yet, after all this dazzling mercy, it was base ingratitude that he should deny Christ. This made him go out and weep bitterly. He baptized himself, as it were, in his own tears. The sins of the godly go nearest to God's heart. The sins of others anger God. The sins of the godly grieve him. The sins of the wicked pierce Christ's side. The sins of the godly wound his heart. The unkindness of a spouse goes nearest to the heart of her husband. The sin of a justified person is odious because it reflects more dishonor upon God. By this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. The sins of God's people put black spots on the face of piety. Thus we see what cause there is why a child of God should weep even after conversion. Can whoever sows such things refrain from tears?

Now, this sorrow of a godly man for sin is not a despairing sorrow. He does not mourn without hope. Iniquities prevail against me. There is a holy soul weeping. As for our transgressions, you shall purge them away. There is faith triumphing. Godly sorrow is excellent. There is as much difference between the sorrow of a godly man and the sorrow of a wicked man as between the water of a spring, which is clear and sweet, and the water of the sea, which is salt and brackish. A godly man's sorrow has these three qualifications. Godly sorrow is inward. It is a sorrow of soul. Hypocrites disfigure their faces. Godly sorrow goes deep. It is a pricking at the heart. True sorrow is a spiritual martyrdom, therefore called soul affliction. Godly sorrow is sincere. It is more for the evil that is in sin than the evil which follows after sin. It is more for the spot than the sting. Hypocrites weep for sin only as it brings affliction. Hypocrites never send forth the streams of their tears except when God's judgments are approaching. Godly sorrow is influential. It makes the heart better. By the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Divine tears not only wet, but wash. They purge out the love of sin.

Use 1. How far from being godly are those who scarcely ever shed a tear for sin? If they lose a near relation, they weep. But though they are in danger of losing God and their souls, they do not weep. How few know what it is to be in an agony for sin, or what a broken heart means. Their eyes are not like the fish-pools in Heshbon, full of water, but rather like the mountains of Gilboa, which had no dew upon them. It was a greater plague for Pharaoh to have his heart turned into stone than to have his rivers turned into blood. The wicked, if they sometimes shed a tear, are never the better. They go on in wickedness, and do not drown their sins in their tears.

Use 2. Let us strive for this divine characteristic. Be weepers. This is a repentance not to be repented of. It is reported of Bradford the martyr that he was of a melting spirit. He seldom sat down to his meal, but some tears trickled down his cheeks.

There are two lavers to wash away sin, blood and tears. The blood of Christ washes away the guilt of sin. Our tears wash away the filth of sin. Repenting tears are precious. God puts them in his bottle. Repenting tears are beautifying. To God a tear in the eye adorns more than a ring on the finger. Oil makes the face shine. Tears make the heart shine.

Repenting tears are comforting. A sinner's mirth turns to melody. A saint's mourning turns to music. Repentance may be compared to myrrh, which, though it is bitter to the taste, is comforting to the spirits. Repentance may be bitter to the flesh, but it is most refreshing to the soul.

Wax, which melts, is fit for the seal. A melting soul is fit to take the stamp of all heavenly blessing. Let us give Christ the water of our tears, and He will give us the wine of his blood.

A Godly Man Weeps

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What does the Bible say about godly sorrow?

How do we know godly sorrow is true?

Why is weeping for sin important for Christians?

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A Godly Man Weeps

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about godly sorrow?

How do we know godly sorrow is true?

Why is weeping for sin important for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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