Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 7:10  For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

Observation:

The Apostle Paul is talking about 2 kinds of sorrow here: godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. Godly sorrow comes from someone realizing the seriousness of their sin before a holy God. Godly sorrow, is the kind of sorrow God wants us to have. Godly sorrow turns us away from sin(repentance) and leads us to salvation, eternal life, heaven. Then we have worldly sorrow. Worldly sorrow lacks repentance, worldly sorrow doesn't lead to salvation like godly sorrow does. Worldly sorrow leads to spiritual death, judgement, and hell. It is important to point out that godly sorrow describes someone who has been born again, a true convert, but worldly sorrow describes a false convert, who has not been born again.

Application:

When I talk to people about Jesus, I need to stop trying to draw them in with worldly things. For example: "You lost your job, that's terrible! Don't worry, if you become a Christian Jesus will get you a new job with better pay." Or, "You're depressed, don't worry, if you ask Jesus into your heart it will make you happy because God has a wonderful plan for your life." These tactics might work for a little while, but people who come to Jesus looking for a spiritual band-aid are usually gone as quickly as they came. But if someone can see the seriousness of their sin, and they become aware of the wrath of God, then the sacrifice of Jesus will become like a priceless treasure to them, it will produce godly sorrow leading to salvation.

Sometimes it seems like, telling people that Jesus died on the cross to pay for their sins and save them from the punishment  of Hell, just isn't good enough anymore. Sometimes I get tempted to use their own worldly desires to get them to come to church or to consider Jesus. I'm so glad that the Holy Spirit is the one that does the convincing. The Bible says that my job is to share the Gospel, not edit it, but share it just like Jesus and the Apostle Paul did.

Acts 20:21

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike- the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and having faith in our Lord Jesus.

Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Questions:

Am I a fisher of men?

Do I encourage godly sorrow or worldly sorrow?

Do I use the cross to draw people or do I use worldly desires?

Do I take the time to explain the seriousness of sin?

Am I too afraid to warn people about judgement or Hell?

Have I memorized the scriptures about salvation?

Do I make it clear that the blood of Jesus is precious?