Psalm 19:13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright… A man is guilty of this sin when, without having sufficient strength, he undertakes to do something of himself; or, without warrant, reckons to receive some extraordinary aid from the mercy or power of God. Over-valuing of ourselves as to our own strength, as Peter did; or trusting to the mercy of God without the warrant of a promise, as did the sons of Sceva, is presumption. Sins are distributed into sins of ignorance, of infirmity, and of presumption, as related to the understanding, the will, and the sensual appetite or affections. If the fault lies in the understanding, the sin may be a sin of ignorance. If in the affections, the sin may be a sin of infirmity. Where sin has none of these excuses it is a wilful, that is, a presumptuous, sin. See the sins of Paul before his conversion, of Peter in his denial, of David in the matter of Uriah. Paul's was a sin of ignorance, Peter's a sin of infirmity, David's a sin of presumption. Observe how great and mischievous, presumptuous sins are. They originate from. a worse cause than other sins, and thence are more sinful; they produce worse effects, and so are more dangerous. They harden the heart They almost annihilate the conscience. Presumptuous sins cannot be removed by ordinary humiliations. A more solemn and lasting course of repentance is necessary. These sins leave scars behind, like bad wounds, when healed, leave in the flesh. 1. A presumptuous sinner rarely escapes without some outward affliction. 2. Presumptuous sins are often scandalous, leaving an indelible stain on the offender. 3. Presumptuous sins leave a sting in the conscience of the sinner. How may we avoid such sins? (1) Never do anything against the clear light of thine own conscience. (2) Strive to be master of thine own will. (3) Beware of engaging thyself to sin. As in the case of Herod with Herodias. (Bishop Sanderson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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