True and False Repentance

For Godly sorrow worketh repentance into [unto]salvation, not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 The foundation of repentance is in the Word of God. For true repentance, there must be a change of opinion in regard to sin. Secondly, there must be a change in opinion of character of sin in the sight of God. Third, there must be a change in the opinion to the prospect of delighting in sin. Finally, there must be a change of opinion to the tenancies of sin. As a consequence of these changes in these opinions towards sin, there is a corresponding change of feelings and attitude in reverence to God. If repentance is genuine, there is within the mind, a conscious change of view and feeling in regard to sin. Where repentance is genuine, the disposition to repeat sin is gone. Genuine repentance continually works a reformation of conduct. Repentance, when true and genuine, leads to confession and restitution. True repentance is a permanent change of character and conduct. False repentance often appeals with the statement, "I am sorry." However there is no change in conduct. False repentance is founded on and is an outward display of selfishness. The intention is concerned with how it makes one look, rather than focusing on true inward change. Consequently, false repentance does not allow for the feelings and emotions to be changed. The falsely repentant soul, is unbroken, unsubdued and the the disposition to sin in the heart is unrealized. The feelings as to the nature of sin are not changed, but that the individual still feels a desire for sin. The individual abstains from it, however, not because of the abhorrence of sin, but because of the dread of the consequence of sin. False repentance works death and leads to hypocritical concealment. False repentance produces only a partial reformation of conduct. Ordinarily, the reformation produced by false sorrow is temporary even in those things which are reformed. False repentance makes backsliders very miserable and go deeper into acts of sin. James 4:7, reminds us of our true strength and aptitude of repentance. If we a truly submitted to God, we obtain the victory in resisting the devil's temptations and wares. Our submission to God is the core of true repentance.