The sorrow of the world

(Arthur Pink, "Worldly Sorrow")

"The sorrow of the world works death."
    2 Corinthians 7:10

Just as surely as happiness is the attendant of
holiness—so misery is the certain result of sin.

The sorrow of the world is not occasioned
by mourning over sin as sin—but over the
retribution which sin brings.

The sorrow of the world does not arise from
just views of sin, nor does it proceed from any
concern that God has been offended. It does
not lead the soul to God in true penitence, nor
to turn to Him for consolation.

When the worldling's dream of earthly happiness
has been dispelled by misfortune—he feeds only
on the sour bread of self-pity and unblessed woe.

The sorrow of the world debilitates the body,
disturbs peace, impairs the mind, and breaks the
spirit. There is no contrite seeking unto God on
the part of the suffering one—but only a fretting
and murmuring against Him.

"Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed
 the God of heaven because of their pains and
 their sores—but they refused to repent of what
 they had done." Revelation 16:10-11