In Leviticus chapter five, verse five, to confess a sin to admit to God that we have sinned and that our thoughts, words, and actions are wrong. The requirement of confession for sin is by God for forgiveness and must accompany the turning away from a confessed sin, praying for forgiveness, and humbling oneself under God’s judgment.
David, a man after God’s own heart, openly confesses his sin after Nathan declares his wrongdoing through a parable. There is an old saying that confession is good for the soul. To free ourselves from the bondage of hiding something that would later be revealed at some point unexpectedly anyway. However, if someone else reveals what we are hiding, it might be more dramatic than the confession. To add more fuel to the fire than there already is.
There is a time and place for everything. God said if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive them. He will cleanse us from all the unrighteous activity. Confession is a time to heal and recover before resuming with others. To confess will free the mind and the body. To release the weight that weighs on the mind mentally is the relief.
Judas, one of the twelve disciples, betrayed Jesus with a kiss. The Son of God knew about it but did nothing to him. However, the fact Judas did not confess his fault cost him his life. Peter, a follower of Jesus, did not admit to the people about being with the Son of God. After denying it three times, Peter went away and wept bitterly.
To confess is good for the soul, and not to admit it may leave a person feeling bitter. Letting something out of our system may be good for the soul but not easy to overcome.