THE SIN OF PRESUMPTION

 

Monday, January 3, 2022

 

THE SIN OF PRESUMPTION

Ps 19:12-13

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

It is the sin of presumption, to act without authority or permission, supposing that God is somehow obligated to support you in your chosen venture. Webster’s Dictionary tells us that presumption is “marked by headstrong confidence; it is unreasonable adventurousness; it is venturing to undertake something without reasonable prospect of success, or against the usual probabilities of safety.” The Hebrew word for presumptuous in out text is zed which literally means arrogant and proud.

 

Acting beyond the governance of God, bending, or breaking His rules, is the essence of presumption. Adam Clarke says that these are sins committed not through frailty or surprise, but those which are the offspring of thought, purpose, and deliberation. They are not accidental but intentional. These acts and attitudes presume to know more than God, to have a better plan, and to employ a greater power than God. The prideful result expected is that the presumptuous person will receive the greater praise because he formulated a better plan.

 

          The psalmist is asking to be restrained because that is the literal meaning of chasak which is the Hebrew foundation for the request to “keep back.” It is marvelous intelligence to say, “Lord, when I am too stupid to know the right way then restrain me from the wrong way.” This is the function of humility. This keeps one in a proper relationship with authority and restrains rebellion. It kept Joseph from his master’s wife and was absent in Absalom, David’s rebellious son.

          Dear Lord, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. AMEN