Repentance vs. Regret

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV)

What is the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow?

In order to process this, let me give you an illustration:  

What if your neighbor trespassed against you in some way that you found upsetting. Then you sent an email complaint against him to the Homeowners Association. Your neighbor no longer speaks to you. You feel badly, because you used to be able to ask your him for favors, but now you can’t. Plus the other neighbors think you are mean for reporting your neighbor. You regret your reaction. You wish you could go back and undo it, because the consequences of your actions are causing you more grief than you imagined. This is worldly sorrow. Repentance involves returning to God. It produces a clarity of conscience. We see how we have strayed away from God’s intentions. Our thoughts and behavior have dishonored God. This produces a grief and a desire to make things right. This is godly sorrow.

Worldly sorrow is self-focused, leading to self-pity, concern for the consequences that we may have to face, and anxiety about our own reputations. Godly sorrow is focused on God. We are distressed over our separation from God. We are more concerned about God’s reputation and restoration of relationship with Him.

“Isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible.” (2 Corinthians 7:11 MSG)