To illustrate a truly penitent heart, Jesus spoke of the return of a prodigal son and the word he said to his father: “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son’” (Luke 15.21 – nasu). However, the words, “I have sinned” are not always genuine.

Twice during the time God brought the plagues on Egypt, Pharaoh said, “I have sinned” (Exod. 9.27; 10.16). He even went on to say, “The Lord is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones” (Exod. 9.27) and “Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and make supplication to the Lord your God, that He would only remove this death from me” (Exod. 10.17). This sounds great, but some people just know what to say at the time.

Words are hollow unless they are followed by actions. In both cases, after Pharaoh’s problem was removed, Pharaoh changed his mind. His words were insincere; his confession meant nothing. I have known some that have performed the same attitude and actions.

What about our lives and our confessions? When we confess, do we follow it with action? If we don’t, are we any different than Pharaoh? It is so easy, in the emotion of the moment, in the middle of a problem, to make a promise to God or a confession of our sins. The real test is the life that follows. Words are easy; actions are harder, but as the human proverb says, “The proof is in the pudding.” God knows the heart (1 Sam. 16.7; Rom. 8.27; John 2.25), but He calls for “fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3.8).

Pharaoh’s problem, and the problem of all who fail to live up to their confession, is the lack of godly sorrow. Paul said, “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Cor. 7.10).  “Sorrow that is according to the will of God” is sorrow that one feels for breaking God’s heart. “Sorrow of the world” is a sorrow that says, “I’m sorry that I got caught, not sorry that I did it.” God always knows the difference!

When we are guilty it is great to say, “I have sinned,” but God expects us to prove that we have godly sorrow by the action of genuine repentance. Repentance that comes from godly sorry will never be regretted; worldly sorrow will lead to spiritual death, and that will be an eternally regretted existence.

What do any of us mean when we say, “I have sinned” – and how do our lives prove it? [-Adapted, BTW]