Crying Does Not Always Indicate Repentance!

Have you ever had a discussion with someone who wronged you? During the conversation they wept, and seemed to feel sorry, only to repeat the same thing again?

Let’s look at this account:
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David became Saul’s enemy because the women said that Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands (1 Samuel 18;7), after the fight with the Philistine i.e. Goliath (1 Samuel 18;6). From that time on Saul tried to kill David. 

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There was a time when David had an opportunity to kill Saul but left him, the account can be found in 1 Samuel; 24.

Now let’s look at some scriptures from this account:
1 Samuel 24; 16 - 22
16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
21 Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
 
Saul wept here and said some words that appeared that he was sorry for what he did. Anyone would have thought that Saul would at this point stop pursuing David, but he did not. After this incident, Saul still tried to kill David (1 Samuel 26;3.). This is evident that the tears he shed before did not mean anything.

True repentance is not necessary crying and speaking the right sobering words, but a change in heart.
It is also safe to say the corresponding actions will always follow a change of heart. This is why the bible relates “fruit” to repentance.  Matthew 3; 8 “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance”.
David was wise and he did not fall victim to Sauls words nor tears.

So have you experienced something similar? Someone keeps saying sorry and sometimes cries but keeps doing the same things? Then you need to be wise just as David was, and depending on what the situation is, hide yourself.

Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and always remember that “fruit will always follow true repentance”.  Don’t be carried away with their “weeping and sobering words” when you don’t see  evidence of a changed heart.
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Bisi Oladipupo