Have you ever confused emotional sorrow with genuine repentance? What is the difference?

Answer 1

Yes, I have confused the two in the past. But, God is working in me to understand the difference.

Emotional sorrow is a worldly sorrow. It is of the natural man. With emotional sorrow you feel sadness that you did something you shouldn't, and there can even be a behavioral change because of the sorrow. In contrast to emotional sorrow, there is Godly sorrow. Godly sorrow is spiritual and thus, it works repentance. And with repentance, you have a change of mind along with a change of behavior.

Answer 2

I think people can feel emotional sorrow for instance when something they have done has had a bad impact upon themselves or someone else.

Genuine repentance, on the other hand, can also include emotional sorrow, and usually does.

This is not to say that emotional sorrow always leads to genuine repentance though, it doesn't always.

I don't think that I've ever confused the two, although I have felt emotional sorrow and then later realised (smack my forehead!) I really needed to repent there, so did.

Answer 3

The bible states that Godly sorrow leads to repentance..Godly sorrow is often the first step,in the process of repentance...however,true repentance is evidenced, by change. Godly sorrow without change is akin to Faith without works...dead

Great question

Answer 4

Sorrow is grief; repentance is recognition of guilt and the need to make up for some wrong you inflicted. No connection to sadness.

Answer 5

Hebrews 12:
16Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

A person can know they have done wrong (even cry) that's not repentance.being truly sorry for sin and letting God know you really will change.