How is worldly sorrow distinct from godly sorrow?

John Snyder explains in this video that worldly sorrow is focused on one’s self instead of God. God does not need our obedience and our disobedience does not subtract from Him. He is infinitely full. Our repentance is something we want to do for God. 

We want things to be made right between God and us. We want His name to be made right. Godly sorrow is a sorrow that arises out of a love for God. It is a grieving that you have aggrieved God. Worldly sorrow is something you do for yourself. You want to flee the consequences of sin. 

1 Peter 2:23-24 (NKJV) – “[He] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”



Another thing about worldly sorrow is that it produces a repentance that is something you do for you rather than what you do for God. God doesn't need us. Our obedience doesn't add anything to Him, Job says, and our disobedience does not subtract anything from Him. He is essentially and infinitely full. But our Repentance is a thing that we want to do for God.

It's a Godward act. We want things to be right between us and God. We want His name to be made right. And so, worldly sorrow is a thing that I'm doing for myself. I want to get off the hook.

I want relief from the consequences of sin. Godly sorrow is a sorrow that arises from a love to God that I've grieved and produces a repentance I don't need to repent of later. You