Bible

Bible

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

PRESUMPTIONS

Have you ever stopped to think about how often we make decisions, and base our actions, on our presumptions? To presume is, by definition, to suppose something to be true without proof. Sometimes we presume things based on our knowledge of a person, or the situation, or what it is we understand about what is going on. Sometimes we presume things based on our desires, what we would like to be true, whether in fact it is or is not. For example, if we’re meeting someone for lunch, and they’re running late, they may ask us to order for them. We might presume to know what it is they want, based on previous items they have ordered from the menu. It might in fact be correct that is what they wanted this time, but it could be they wanted something else. How many times have you heard someone say, “Why did you do that?” The response is, “Well, I just presumed…” The reply then is, “Well, you presumed wrong!”

Presumptions are dangerous when we ignore or reject information and make decisions on our own criteria instead. To have facts in hand, but to respond without considering the facts, is rash at best and arrogant at worst. Unfortunately, Satan knows he can tempt us in so many areas of life, and this is how we will respond. For example, when he tempted Jesus to throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple (Matt. 4:5-6), it would have been presumptuous of Jesus to have done so, thinking God would have saved Him from physical harm. It would have been testing God, rather than trusting what He has revealed of Himself and His will.

How many people does Satan deceive into sin by presumption? “I don’t have to be faithful in assembling to worship, because after all, God is a gracious God and wants me to enjoy life.” “I know I’m not giving as I’ve been prospered, but God is love and knows all the other things I can spend my money on.” “I’m so busy and involved in so many other areas of life, I’m sure God understands and will be merciful. Maybe sometime later I can serve Him.” These and many more presumptions are dangerous, because God’s word reveals what His will is on these matters of life. Choosing a course contrary to what Scripture teaches is what James describes as sin; “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).

Jesus conquered the sin of presumption with the word of God, which is how He conquered each temptation He faced. Just because we want things a certain way doesn’t mean that is the measure of how God will judge us on the day of judgment. Jesus said, “The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (John 12:48). To presume things spiritually when we can know by examining Scripture is dangerous, as it very well may disappoint us on the last day (Matt. 7:21-23)!

We are not to presume when it comes to what we are to believe and how to live for God. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). It is necessary for each of us to take the initiative and actually use the Bibles we have at home, that we carry to worship, and practice what it teaches us God requires for salvation and living the Christian life. You can presume otherwise, but don’t trust your soul to what you feel when you can know for sure. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:20-21).

Robert Johnson

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