by: Denny

The dictionary defines presumption as: to take the liberty; to act on blind headstrong overconfident conclusions; to go beyond the boundaries of reverence, respect, or politeness; to arrogantly suppose or believe without examination or proof.

Do you ever wonder why people lie, steal, vandalize, abuse, murder, cheat, commit adultery, have affairs, and break laws both written and moral in every way imaginable? It may not be any of the things I just mentioned, nevertheless they all have one thing in common. It can be answered with a single Bible verse as found in Ecclesiastes 8:11; Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. In simple terms, they presume they won’t get caught, nobody will see them, and they won’t be punished immediately, therefore, they are emboldened in lawlessness. Another presumption they have is that because everyone else is doing it, they justify themselves in the same behavior. For instance, is it not presumption that because everyone is driving 5-10 mph over the speed limit it’s okay for you to do it too? Don’t you also presume that law enforcement must or will allow you 5mph anyway before pulling you over? You presume on 5mph, but you often take 10-15mph. The only reason you own a radar detector is that you intend to speed and presume that it will prevent you from getting a ticket. I know, I used to have them when I was trucking. Isn’t it presumption that because you got away with telling a lie once, that the next lie is easier to tell? You tell another and another until before you know, it becomes part of your character. You not only lie to others but to yourself. My wife works in the high school and frequently tells me how there is often no enforced discipline. Kids are allowed to dress any way they choose, swear at the teachers, use cell phones during class, skip classes, and roam the halls without a pass. They smoke in the bathrooms and have started fires to the point that the bathrooms are now closed, and fighting is a common thing. Teachers give some of them a passing grade when they don’t deserve or earn it. I may be painting a picture with a broad brush, but is it not presumption to think these kids will become responsible adults who can contribute positively to society and are able to function on their own?

The first act of presumption began with Lucifer as found in Isaiah 14:13-14 and Ezekiel 28: 12-17. It’s too long to write here, but I suggest you read these verses. He was once the anointed cherub that covered God’s throne and was created as a musical being. He became prideful and presumed he could become greater than God. He was cast out of Heaven and became Satan. Disguising himself as a serpent he lied and got Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit presuming they would become like God. From that point on presumption could be tied to almost every sin or act of rebellion.

In Numbers 13, Moses sent twelve men to spy out the land that God had promised and was giving to them as a nation. Ten came back with a bad report saying they would not be able to posses it and defeat the people there. The whole congregation believed their report and wanted to go back to Egypt. God wanted to wipe them out, but Moses interceded, and God relented. However, He sentenced them to wonder forty years in the wilderness until they all died. The next day the people realized their sin and decided they would now go take the land. Moses warned them that they would fail. They went forward anyway presuming the Lord was with them, but He wasn’t, and they were defeated. Sampson after finally revealing the secret to his strength, presumed to go out as before not knowing the Lord had departed from him. It didn’t end up well for him. (Judges 16:20) King David presumed he could conceal his sin of adultery and murder, but the prophet Nathan exposed him. (2 Samuel 11-12) He also presumed he could transport the Ark of God by putting it on a cart pulled by oxen, and Uzzah died because of David’s presumption. (2 Samuel 6) The apostle Paul, before his conversion to Christ, presumed he was serving God by persecuting Christians by having them imprisoned and even killed. Simon was a guy who after seeing how when Peter and John laid hands on people they received the Holy Spirit proceeded to presume that he could purchase the Holy spirit by offering them money. I think the ultimate presumption was when Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate and Pilate arrogantly presumed he had power over Jesus. To which Jesus replied, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given to you from above.” Even while He was on the cross many mocked Him by urging Him to come off the cross and save himself. Their presumption was they didn’t know who they were dealing with, because Jesus could have called upon a host of angels to fight for Him.

Hebrews 11 is like the Hall of Fame of men and women who were heroes of faith. Verse 6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God. There is a fine line between faith and presumption Many people presume things about God that aren’t true because they don’t understand His Word, His Ways, and have never truly known Him. They have formed a presumptive idea in their minds of how He should be. If He doesn’t meet their expectations, they simply write Him off or claim He doesn’t exist. Devine healing is a sensitive subject even among believers. Some presume that if you aren’t healed it’s because you don’t have enough faith. It’s easy to presume and say that if you aren’t the one whose been waiting a long time for God to touch you. True faith keeps pressing on believing that God is faithful, and He cares for you regardless of the trials and troubles you presently face, and that’s not a presumption either. I have found that sometimes I can say just as much in a poem as I can by a long-written article. Following is one such poem I wrote entitled Presumption.

Presumption is the heart malfunction that leads to consumption where you lose your compunction to clearly function under the unction and you’re left standing at the junction of the misguided you. Which is a grave deception resulting from the misconception of your lack of perception because you thought you were an exception . . . you faith Guru! So, pardon my intrusion but the Bible’s conclusion is that soon your confusion will turn to delusion unless you get an infusion of what is right and true.

Therefore, to prevent further progression into previously practiced policies pertaining to presumption and the problems presented, please pray post-haste without procrastination in a prostrate position and plead for pardon that the precarious path you’ve pondered will promptly perish, otherwise prospects for projected perpetual punishment may prove personally painful. This prescribed plan promises peace and purification from past pernicious performance and is proclaimed profitable for participants plagued with the same pathetic propensity. Also, proper penitent pronouncement is paramount in procuring pending placement prepared in paradise. Peradventure you pasha, pooh-pooh, put-off or pass-by this precious proposal, push panic-button. It’s profoundly possible your proverbial GOOSE IS COOKED!