Regret

Deep feelings of sorrow arising from past events now seen as sins, mistakes or misfortunes. It can either lead to true repentance or destructive bitterness.

Examples and expressions of regret

1 Samuel 26:21 See also Genesis 27:33–35; Numbers 12:10–12 Aaron and Miriam when they had spoken against Moses; Numbers 14:1–2; Judges 11:34–35 Jephthah when he returned home from fighting the Ammonites2 Samuel 24:10 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:8; 2 Samuel 24:14 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:13 1 Kings 21:27 Ahab after he murdered Naboth and seized his vineyard; Daniel 6:14; Matthew 26:75 parallels Mark 14:72, Luke 22:61–62 Peter when he disowned Jesus Christ; Matthew 27:3–4 Judas after betraying Jesus Christ

Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”

Divine expressions of regret

Genesis 6:6 See also 1 Samuel 15:10–11, 1 Samuel 15:35; 2 Samuel 24:16 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:15

And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

Actions which may lead to regret

Proverbs 5:11–14; 1 Timothy 6:9–10

The bitterness of vain regrets

There is no remedy for bitter regrets

Hebrews 12:16–17 See also Genesis 27:41; 2 Samuel 18:33; Proverbs 28:17; Ezekiel 7:16–18; Luke 13:24–28; Revelation 1:7

See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.

The unending remorse of the lost

Daniel 12:2 See also Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 8:12, Matthew 25:30; Mark 9:47–48; Luke 16:22–23; Revelation 14:11

And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Regret is an element of true repentance

2 Corinthians 7:8–10 See also Numbers 14:39–40; 2 Samuel 12:13–17; 2 Kings 22:18–20 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:26–28 Josiah's response on finding the Book of the Law; Ezra 10:1, Ezra 10:6; Psalm 38:2–8, Psalm 51:3; Jeremiah 3:21–25; Joel 2:12; Jonah 3:6–9 the repentance of Nineveh; Matthew 5:4; Luke 15:17–19 the prodigal son; Acts 2:37

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it— for I see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time— yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Absence of regret

Sinning without shame

Jeremiah 6:15; Zephaniah 3:5; 1 Corinthians 5:1–2

When the wicked die

2 Chronicles 21:20

At the end of life

2 Samuel 23:5; 2 Timothy 4:6–8

In God's new creation

Isaiah 65:17–19 See also Isaiah 35:10; Revelation 21:4

For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people. The sounds of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her.