Alas, it’s pretty safe to say procrastinators are presumptuous. We don’t mean to be; it comes naturally. Let’s continue in Psalm 19:12-13 (NKJV). Please read Who Can Understand? (August 17, 2015).
“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
“Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins: Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.”
What are “presumptuous sins”? Dictionary definitions tell us “to presume” is to think something is true without knowing for certain. Legally, we accept something as true until it is proved untrue (presumed innocent until proven guilty).
Next is where our application comes in – to take for granted, to do something without the right or permission to do it. That’s why presumptuous sins relate to arrogance and pride as seen in the Hebrew.
Dictionaries say arrogance reveals an exaggerated sense of one’s superior importance, abilities, or rights.
“Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins” brings a picture to mind of my clenched jaw and quick tongue – but God’s hand on my arm as He whispers in my ear, “Hold back!” He warns me because He knows if I go forward with my limited knowledge and exalted belief in self (presumption, arrogance), I will pay a price for disregarding His authority. He wants to help me regard His authority – and benefit.
Here are some examples of presumptuous thinking. (Alert: They look pretty innocent.)
“I have all month to do that report.” Maybe it’s more accurate to say, “The report is not DUE until the end of the month.” Do I actually control those thirty days and what they will bring? What if another client has an emergency? Or Uncle John comes to visit?
“I’ve done this before. It won’t take any time to knock out this job. I’ll do it later.” Ever gotten into a job you’ve done before and discovered THIS time there’s more involved? Or somebody wants it sooner than expected?
“I’m never going to need that paperwork (passport, transcript, evaluation) for Johnny. He’s not ever going to do anything that requires it.” Do I control Johnny? Do I know how the Lord is going to move in his life?
Humility recognizes I am not in control and gratefully accepts the time provided now as the time to act.
Would you share some thinking you recognize as presumptuous?
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Beth, I can certainly identify with what you have written in this post!
Thanks for pointing out these not so pretty but valuable insights so I am able to pray more specifically for the Spirit’s work to change me
Sue.
Thank you, Sue. There’s so much unlovely I don’t see about myself. HE is beautiful.