“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, NASB)

Two critical determinants will tell if you are mourning over sin as Jesus commands. First, you will have a true sensitivity to and sorrow for your sins. Your prayer concern will be how your sin detracts from God’s glory, not how its exposure might embarrass you or hurt your reputation.

The mock piety of hypocrites demonstrates no sensitivity to sin, only to their personal prestige and pride (cf. Matt. 6:1-18). Likewise, the mock gratitude of those like the Pharisees who think they are better than others (cf. Luke 18:11) certainly does not show mourning for sin. King Saul twice admitted he had sinned when he did not destroy King Agag and all the Amalekites, and even asked Samuel for pardon, but he was more concerned for his own honor than God’s (1 Sam. 15:10-35).

If your mourning is godly, you will lament the sins of other believers and the world, as well as your own. You will agree with the Psalmist, “My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Your law” (Psalm 119:136). You will weep over your own community as Jesus did over His (Luke 19:41).

The second way to know if you are mourning rightly is to check your sense of God’s forgiveness. Have you expected the sense of spiritual freedom and real release that comes with knowing your sins are forgiven? Can you point to true happiness, peace, and joy in your life that only God gives in response to mourning for sin (cf. Ps. 126:5-6)?

Ask Yourself

What is your main problem with sin—only that it gives you that sick feeling of guilt and hypocrisy? Only that it seems to expose you around those who know you best? Take all the personal inconveniences out of the equation, and be more gravely concerned that your sin offends the God you profess to serve. (John MacArthur, Daily readings from the Life of Christ, February 21)