Presumption in Reviling God
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Presumption in reviling God is a grave sin that reflects a heart of arrogance and a lack of reverence for the Almighty. This sin is characterized by an audacious disrespect and irreverence towards God, His nature, and His commandments. The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings against such behavior, emphasizing the importance of humility and reverence before the Creator.

Biblical Examples and Warnings

1. The Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites frequently demonstrated presumption in their relationship with God during their journey through the wilderness. Despite witnessing God's miraculous works, they often complained and rebelled against Him. In Numbers 14:11, the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?" This presumption led to severe consequences, including the denial of entry into the Promised Land for that generation.

2. Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and others, presumptuously challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron, which was ultimately a challenge against God's appointed leadership. Their rebellion was met with divine judgment as the earth opened up and swallowed them, demonstrating the seriousness of reviling God's established order.

3. King Saul's Disobedience: King Saul's presumption is evident in 1 Samuel 13 when he offered a burnt offering without waiting for the prophet Samuel, as he had been instructed. Saul's actions showed a lack of trust and reverence for God's timing and commands. Samuel rebuked Saul, saying, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you" (1 Samuel 13:13). This act of presumption contributed to the loss of his kingdom.

4. The Blasphemy of Sennacherib: In 2 Kings 19, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, reviled the God of Israel, boasting of his conquests and mocking the LORD's power. In response, God declared through the prophet Isaiah that He would defend Jerusalem for His own sake and for the sake of His servant David. That night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 in the Assyrian camp, demonstrating God's intolerance for such presumption.

Theological Insights

Presumption in reviling God is rooted in pride and a failure to recognize God's sovereignty and holiness. It is a direct violation of the first commandment, which calls for exclusive worship and reverence for the LORD. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" . This sin not only incurs divine judgment but also leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God.

The New Testament continues to warn against such attitudes. In 2 Peter 2:10, the apostle Peter describes false teachers as "bold and arrogant," who "do not tremble when they blaspheme glorious beings" . This presumption is contrasted with the humility and submission that God desires from His people.

Practical Implications

Believers are called to approach God with humility, recognizing their dependence on His grace and mercy. James 4:6 reminds us, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" . Reverence for God should be reflected in our words, actions, and attitudes, acknowledging His rightful place as Lord of all.

In worship and daily life, Christians are encouraged to cultivate a heart of gratitude and obedience, avoiding the pitfalls of presumption. By doing so, they honor God and align themselves with His will, experiencing the fullness of His blessings and protection.
Nave's Topical Index
Malachi 1:6,7,12
A son honors his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is my honor? and if I be a master, where is my fear? said the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, that despise my name. And you say, Wherein have we despised your name?
Nave's Topical Index

Malachi 3:7,8,13
Even from the days of your fathers you are gone away from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, said the LORD of hosts. But you said, Wherein shall we return?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Psalm LXIX.
... "Against Me were reviling they that ... ye therefore them: even such are commended to
God, not that so ... speaketh of these things: it is not our presumption, not our ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxix.htm

The Letter of the Synod to Pope Celestine.
... turned out of Thessaly), he had the presumption to commit a ... and not even those who
were thus reviling knew what ... But ignoring the anger of God for such behaviour ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the letter of the synod.htm

Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
... with the rough company who were reviling his Master. ... office, and abused the Son of
God with foul ... They declared that His presumption in proclaiming Himself the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 75 before annas and.htm

Making Light of Christ
... revelation, thou hast laughed at God; in reviling the truth ... chrysalis, and when you
come to God's house, and ... make light of the gospel out of sheer presumption. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/making light of christ.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... Ananias, the high-priest, offended at the presumption of Paul ... whether Paul was actually
guilty of reviling Ananias; and ... his own, but the words of God, who pours ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

Order and Argument in Prayer
... without the last words it would have been wicked presumption. ... Sometimes the child
of God can rejoice when he ... get thoroughly out of temper and take to reviling. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/order and argument in prayer.htm

V. ...
... this much: Is it not great presumption on their ... as the sword is introduced by God's
ordinance, stand ... ought, therefore, to tremble at reviling against dignities ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Antioch, people of, ceremonious, [54]129; riotous, [55]217; profane, [56]248; given
to theatricals, [57]248; worldly, [58]370; ungrateful to God, [59]377 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm

The Seventh Book
... and has met with disgrace for his presumption; he himself ... Book which may be called
the very voice of God. ... to despise the Goths and Vandals, reviling them as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... And do not persecuting and reviling us upon this ... command of not swearing, expressed
by God to any under ... the vain foundation upon which that presumption in this ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

Resources
Are the demons the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.org

Why didn't Adam and Eve find it strange that a serpent was talking to them? | GotQuestions.org

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the pre-wrath view of the rapture? | GotQuestions.org

Presumption: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Presumption

Presumption in Asking Jesus, "What Will This Man Do?"

Presumption in Objecting to Jesus' Statement That Jesus Must be Killed

Presumption in Objecting to Jesus Washing Peter's Feet

Presumption in Reflecting Upon his Knowledge when he Asked, Amid a Throng, Who Touched Jesus

Presumption in Reviling God

Presumption: A Characteristic of Antichrist

Presumption: A Characteristic of the Wicked

Presumption: Abraham, in Questioning About Sodom

Presumption: Benhadad

Presumption: Ben-Hadad

Presumption: Builders of Babel

Presumption: Complaining at Meribah

Presumption: David, in Numbering Israel

Presumption: David's Anger on Account of Uzzah's Death

Presumption: Diotrephes

Presumption: Exhibited in Esteeming Our own Ways Right

Presumption: Exhibited in Opposing God

Presumption: Exhibited in Planning for the Future

Presumption: Exhibited in Pretending to Prophecy

Presumption: Exhibited in Seeking Precedence

Presumption: Exhibited in Self-Righteousness

Presumption: Exhibited in Spiritual Pride

Presumption: Exhibited in Wilful Commission of Sin

Presumption: General Scriptures Concerning

Presumption: Israelites

Presumption: Israelites, in Ascending to the Top of the Hill Against the Amalekites

Presumption: James and John, in Desiring to Call Down Fire Upon the Samaritans

Presumption: Jeroboam

Presumption: Job, in Cursing the Day of his Birth

Presumption: Jonah

Presumption: Korah

Presumption: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram

Presumption: Men of Bethshemesh

Presumption: Men of Beth-Shemesh

Presumption: Moses, in Rebuking Jehovah

Presumption: Nadab and Abihu

Presumption: Pray to be Kept from Sins of

Presumption: Punishment For

Presumption: Reproved by Eliphaz

Presumption: Reproving Jesus

Presumption: Saints Avoid

Presumption: Satan, when he Said to Eve, "You Will Surely not Die"

Presumption: Saul, in Sacrificing

Presumption: Sennacherib

Presumption: Sons of Sceva

Presumption: Sparing the Amalekites

Presumption: The Disciples, in Rebuking Those Who Brought Little Children to Jesus

Presumption: The Disciples, in Their Indignation at the Anointing of Jesus

Presumption: The Sons of Sceva

Presumption: Theudas

Presumption: Those Who Reviled Jesus

Presumption: Uzzah

Presumption: Uzzah, in Steadying the Ark of the Covenant

Presumption: Uzziah

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Presumption in Reflecting Upon his Knowledge when he Asked, Amid a Throng, Who Touched Jesus
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