So "godly sorrow" is a gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit... surely it can't be or mean 'a holy spirit nudge'? That doesnt make sense. Could you explain for me what it actually is..not the end result of repentance ie, restoration of relationship etc
It makes wonderful sense, because it is the truth. Holy Spirit lets us know when we have missed the mark, and His voice is soft and gentle, like a nudge that says, "Honey, you've done the wrong thing here. Come on, let's start again and do it better next time. I'll help you."
The enemy likes to get in there first and speaks with a raucous, ugly voice that brings with it thoughts of self-reproach and guilt. Two voices. Which one will we heed?
Godly sorrow or godly remorse is not the "
end result of repentance ie, restoration of relationship", but it is the immediate forerunner of repentance and restoration to the Father.
2 Corinthians 7:10-11
For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with
the will of God produces a repentance without regret,
leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death. [SUP]
11 [/SUP]For [you can look back and] see what an earnestness
and authentic concern this godly sorrow has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves [against charges that you tolerate sin], what indignation [at sin], what fear [of offending God], what longing [for righteousness and justice], what passion [to do what is right], what readiness to punish [those who sin and those who tolerate sin]! At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in the matter.
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