Praying God's Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual Strongholds by Beth Moore

Author:Beth Moore
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Spiritual Strongholds, Biblical Meditations, Christian Life, General, Breakthrough, Religion, Prayer, Devotional
ISBN: 9780805464337
Publisher: B&H Books
Published: 2009-09-01T22:00:00+00:00

2. To help the truly repentant to bask in the freedom of forgiveness

These two scriptural emphases are interwoven purposely throughout the chapter. The reason we must make absolutely sure biblical repentance has taken place is because, if it hasn’t, what we are calling “guilt” is probably the active and faithful conviction of the Holy Spirit. I remember a time in my college years when I was deeply puzzled over ongoing feelings of “guilt” deep within me over a sin for which I had asked forgiveness many times. I could not understand why I never felt out from under the weight or burden of it. Years later God pried open my eyes to 2 Corinthians 7:10: “Godly sorrow brings repentance.” Suddenly I realized that I had never developed a godly sorrow over that sin. I regretted it because I knew it wasn’t God’s will for my life, but I had had no real sorrow over it. In fact, I realized I “had cherished sin in my heart” (Ps. 66:18), hanging on to it emotionally though I had let go of it physically. I had done the right things, but I still felt the wrong things.

Please let me be very clear: God’s will was certainly for me to act in obedience immediately rather than waiting until I felt like it. However, I would not enjoy full freedom from the sin-burden until I let Him change my heart as well. When God opened my eyes to 2 Corinthians 7:10, I wept before the Lord and said, “I want to have godly sorrow for this sin so that I can be free . . . but I don’t, Lord! What can I do? Am I stuck with it forever?” His tender response was the same one He’s given virtually every time I have longed for something I lacked: “Pray for it, My child.” I began to pray for godly sorrow to come to me over that cherished sin. It came at first like the gentle morning tide, but ultimately it hit me like a tidal wave. I did not realize until then how different the concepts of regret and repentance are.

Does my story happen to ring a bell with you? Have you ever physically turned from a sin and ceased the activity, yet continued to cherish it to some degree in your heart? If so, we’re not alone. I cannot count the times believers have come to me in the last decade and told me that they had turned from a sinful relationship, for example, but could not seem to let go of the emotional tie. Although our circumstances may be different, like us, they were still “cherishing the sin in their hearts.” Godly sorrow is not defined by tears or outward displays of contrition. Godly sorrow is a change of heart resulting in complete agreement with God over the matter. You may say, “But, Beth, I can’t change the way I feel.” I understand. I’ve been there too. But that’s why it’s called “godly sorrow.

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