If we choose to have sorrow for sin when we sin we can continue to grow spiritually. Perhaps you realized you gave yourself false freedom, and you followed your destructive passions instead of a disciplined heart. Make it a practice to ask God for a holy heart, and for sorrow for sin. After Paul corrected the Corinthians he wrote: “Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal.” I Cor. 7:11 (NLT). Don’t descend into self-rejection; look to God’s open arms and enter them with sorrow.
In the future, be careful not to take unholiness too lightly. Do not laugh when you should mourn. Remember the words of James: “your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow for sin and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” James 4:8-9 (NLT) Therefore, walk in the Spirit and maintain a good conscience. If you get distracted by temptation then collect yourself as soon as possible and center yourself again on God’s Spirit inside you. Let Him form you spiritually.
Make it a practice to ask God for a holy heart, and for a sorrow for sin.
If you have a bad habit commit your will to withdrawing from it; it takes much effort to break a bad habit because you have indulged your corruption. It is much better to avoid the beginning of anything that can become a bad habit. It becomes a huge barrier to spiritual growth.
We don’t really need a lot of physical comforts or pleasures. Let go of them when you can. Rather, seek spiritual comfort from God but even more seek to love God regardless of your feelings and circumstances. This is an important key to spiritual growth.
Develop an eternal perspective and the things of the world will not trouble you so much. It becomes much easier to choose the way of the Cross, die to self, and find new resurrection life for your soul. If we cling to the warm pleasures of the body our heart will eventually turn cold. (This post is partly based on Chapter 21 of the classic The Imitation of Christ.)
Do you need to embrace sorrow for sin for something you did? Are you willing to do this for God and accept his forgiveness when your sorrow has drained away?
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