“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted: but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
“Godly sorrow” comes because people are made aware that they have displeased God by sinning, and this realization causes them to decide to give up the sin—they repent. This repentance will lead to salvation. There is no regret because the end result is worth it.
The “sorrow of the world” is a sorrow brought on by fleshly reasons. The sinner may regret his sin, but he doesn’t repent and turn back to God’s ways. Rather, he may be sad because he has been caught or because he suffers as a result of what he has done, but he has no desire to change. This kind of behavior produces spiritual death or separation from God.
So, we have a choice. We can allow an awareness of our sins to lead us back to the path of righteousness and ultimately salvation; or we can continue in our sinful behavior, having no hope of being reunited with God. The choice is ours.
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