“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24
Recently, God has impressed upon me the issue of presumption. I define presumption as those expectations (however illegitimate) I have placed upon God; how He should act, how He should treat me, how He should treat others, how He should treat those who persecute/harm me, how He meets my needs, etc.
Over time, it has become clear to me that presumption is a soul crushing, silent, cancer of character which must be continually identified and purposefully removed to avoid harm to me and others around me. Apart from the filter of the Bible, one may not even realize how much presumption they have in their life. In many ways it is like the sin of covetousness; you don’t even recognize it as sin until the Bible defines it for you. Then you need to ask God to show you this sin in your life and repent. Admittedly a painful process, but powerfully healing.
In developing my view of presumption, I found Romans, Ecclesiastes and 1 Corinthians to be mirrors to the souls of all men and a powerful reminder of the impact of presumption on a man’s life. Specifically, presumption can send a man to hell, leave a man with misdirected hope, or impair a man’s preparation for eternity.
In the book of Romans, Paul writes about the unbelieving nation of Israel in chapters 9 and 10. In these chapters, I am shown a reflection of my life apart from the grace of God:
“For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:2-3
But as for Israel He says, “ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.” Romans 10:21
From these verses, I conclude presumption can send a man to hell; those who presume they do not need Jesus as their savior and those who did not want the savior God provided. Also, I am reminded to fear God who will not relate to a willful man, regardless of his presumption.
Ecclesiastes speaks to me about the vanity of my earthly treasures. Particularly problematic is when the things I placed value in are unrewarded, reduced, or removed (which will happen to all of us). This book is a brutal reality check on life ending in the following conclusion by Solomon:
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
From Ecclesiastes, I understand presumption can leave me caring about the meaningless. This distracts me from my purpose in this world and stifles my preparation for an eternity with God. The Bible makes clear the consequence of this distraction as follows:
“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1Corinthians 3:11-15
From this verse (as a disciple of Christ) I can see how my presumption grieves the Holy Spirit, hardens my heart, impacts my fellowship with God, diminishes my ministry, and results in appreciable eternal consequence.
Now for some good news…there is a remedy! The first step to healing is identifying the problem which is me, not God. My litmus test for presumption is when my expectations of God are not met, indifference sets in, and I struggle to fellowship with God. Unfortunately, presumption’s traveling companions (pride and covetousness) also war against me in these times resulting in “spiritual vertigo” until they are recognized for what they are, which is sin, and they are confronted in repentance. If not careful, I can camp in resignation and bitterness until I come into total agreement in my soul that God is both sovereign and good to me. There is no better example of this biblical principle than Job. At the end of the book of Job, we find that he has passed through indifference, he is done questioning God, and he is in a position to learn:
“Then Job answered the LORD and said, “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”” Job 42:1-6
This is a such a clear picture of surrendering to God for our good. Job is now in agreement with God’s character, he is in a position of total dependence on Him, his focus is restored, and a loving God responds. Only in surrender do I find the cure for presumption, pride, and covetousness. Only in surrender do I find restored fellowship, the fruit of the Spirit, a heart for obedience, His purpose for my life, and ultimately His joy:
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:10-11
Mindful of who we are before God, my prayer is His joy be made full in you. As presumption, pride, and covetousness are insidious by nature; grab your accountability partners and ask for help. We all need it and are commanded to do it. Surrender seldom comes easily as your treasure is tested.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:2-3
Personal Inventory:
- Where am I presuming/where have I presumed upon God?
- Have I asked God to reveal my presumption?
- What “treasure” do I fear losing?
- Have I agreed with God in regard to His goodness in every aspect of my life?
- What am I intentionally doing to understand the ways of God, not just his deeds?
- How are presumption’s “traveling companions” of covetousness and pride affecting me, my purpose, my preparation for eternity?
- What accountability do I have in my life to counter these (and other) sins?
- Am I truly transparent to the men to whom I am accountable? If not, why not?
- Have I surrendered all of my expectations (presumption) to the sovereignty and goodness of God?
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