1 Chronicles 21:8 And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
David had sinned in his pride in ordering a census to be taken. God provided a way out in the counsel of Joab, but David’s curiosity was spurred on by arrogance. His faith was in his own strength rather than in God’s. Self-sufficiency pulls us away from God and makes us susceptible to Satan’s temptation. God was displeased with this thing and smote Israel.
But David was still a man after God’s heart, and he confessed his great sin. He was forgiven, but his people still suffered the consequences. He was convicted of inner pride, acted arrogantly, and did a foolish thing.
When we are tempted, we examine our inner desires to understand why the external temptation is so appealing. When we examine ourself we find the root sin of pride and arrogance. Thank God, our penitence and faith finds mercy and forgiveness in the Gospel and the Sacraments. “There is forgiveness with You that You may be feared.” We may think that we are not prideful and self-centered, but we are only deceiving ourselves until something happens to draw us totally back to God.