“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity” (Prov 28:13-14, ESV).

Forgiveness of sins is available by God’s grace. However, pride sometimes prevents us from resolving our sins in the proper manner.

Mercy is obtained when we confess and forsake (take ownership of the sin and put forth a real effort to repent of the sin). “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). Pride throws up a roadblock on this path to forgiveness, telling us it is in our best interest to keep our shame a secret. However, our sin will eventually be found out (Num. 32:23), and those who learn of it will not be merciful to us. If anything, they will despise us, not only for the sin, but also for trying to keep it a secret.

If we will fear the Lord always, we will be motivated to handle our sins in the proper manner. However, if we harden our heart to God’s path to forgiveness, we will fall into calamity.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Psalm 32:3-5, ESV