Matthew 27:3,4
‘Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You shall see to it yourself!”’
Judas felt remorse. That’s good. However it was the wrong kind. Paul talks of the differences between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow in 2 Corinthians 7:9, 10 says, “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Judas had worldly sorrow.
How do we tell the difference between the two? Godly sorrow leads us back to Him while worldly sorrow condemns us and causes us to hide from Him. The word hide makes us think of Adam and Eve hiding from God. That was also worldly sorrow.
Worldly sorrow is to be ignored. As a young christian I had a difficult time with this. I didn’t know the difference. I knew particular circumstances that provoke worldly sorrow and sought to avoid them. Not bad, but not as good as rejecting it.
The true healing came when I learned of God’s grace and love. I began to discern His voice. Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” His voice isn’t condemning. I John 3:20 also helped, “Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.” This showed me that my heart isn’t always God’s voice. Our hearts can be wrong. When so we are to ignore it.
My heart will still condemn me on occasion. It’s still difficult. I ignore it and pray for God’s peace. It usually comes. Worldly usually disapates when ignored. Especially when combined with prayer and the recitation of scripture.
Godly sorrow draws us to Him. Thank You, Lord. The Corinthians were led back to God through their sorrow. Paul’s letter had the intended effect. There will be motivation to make it right. This is so good. Thank You, Lord.
We praise You, Lord, for Your goodness. We appreciate You.