Presumption, in a biblical context, refers to the act of taking liberties or overstepping boundaries, often by assuming something to be true or acting without proper authority or guidance. It is closely associated with arrogance and pride, where an individual acts beyond their rightful place or without divine sanction. The Bible addresses presumption in various contexts, warning against the dangers of assuming God's will or acting without His direction.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, presumption is often linked with disobedience and rebellion against God's commands. One of the clearest examples is found in the account of the Israelites in the wilderness. After being told by God that they would not enter the Promised Land due to their lack of faith, some Israelites attempted to go up and fight the Amalekites and Canaanites despite God's warning. This act of presumption resulted in their defeat (Numbers 14:39-45).

Deuteronomy 18:20 warns against presumption in the context of prophecy: "But the prophet who dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must be put to death." This highlights the seriousness of presuming to speak for God without His explicit command.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, presumption is addressed in the context of faith and humility. James 4:13-16 cautions against making plans without considering God's will: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil."

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 also illustrates presumption. The rich man assumed he had many years to enjoy his wealth, but God said to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?" This parable serves as a warning against presuming upon the future without acknowledging God's sovereignty.

Theological Implications

Presumption is fundamentally a sin of pride, where individuals place their own judgment above God's. It reflects a lack of trust in God's wisdom and timing, often leading to actions that are contrary to His will. The Bible consistently calls believers to humility, submission, and reliance on God's guidance rather than their own understanding.

Psalm 19:13 is a prayer for protection against presumptuous sins: "Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression." This verse underscores the need for divine help in overcoming the tendency to act presumptuously.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to seek God's will in all things, acknowledging His authority and wisdom. This involves prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking counsel from mature Christians. By doing so, they can avoid the pitfalls of presumption and live in a manner that honors God.

In summary, presumption is a significant theme in the Bible, warning against the dangers of acting without divine guidance or authority. It calls believers to a posture of humility and dependence on God, recognizing His sovereignty over all aspects of life.1. (n.) The act of believing upon probable evidence; the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete proof.

2. (n.) Ground for presuming; evidence probable, but not conclusive; strong probability; reasonable supposition; as, the presumption is that an event has taken place.

3. (n.) That which is presumed or assumed; that which is supposed or believed to be real or true, on evidence that is probable but not conclusive.

4. (n.) The act of venturing beyond due beyond due bounds; an overstepping of the bounds of reverence, respect, or courtesy; forward, overconfident, or arrogant opinion or conduct; presumptuousness; arrogance; effrontery.

5313. hupsoma -- height, that which is lifted up
... Neuter Transliteration: hupsoma Phonetic Spelling: (hoop'-so-mah) Short Definition:
height, barrier, bulwark Definition: height, barrier, bulwark; presumption. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5313.htm - 6k

Whether Presumption is a Sin?
... OF PRESUMPTION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether presumption is a sin? Objection
1: It would seem that presumption is not a sin. For no sin ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether presumption is a sin.htm

Whether Presumption is a Sin?
... OF PRESUMPTION (TWO ARTICLES) Whether presumption is a sin? Objection 1:
It seems that presumption is not a sin. For the Apostle ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether presumption is a sin 2.htm

Whether Presumption Arises from Vainglory?
... OF PRESUMPTION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether presumption arises from vainglory? Objection
1: It would seem that presumption does not arise from vainglory. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether presumption arises from vainglory.htm

Of Presumption (Four Articles)
... OF PRESUMPTION (FOUR ARTICLES). We must now consider presumption, under which head
there are four points of inquiry: ... (2) Whether presumption is a sin? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of presumption four articles .htm

Whether Presumption is a Sin
... Article Two Whether Presumption is a Sin. Whether Presumption is a Sin We proceed
to the second article thus: 1. It seems that presumption is not a sin. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article two whether presumption is.htm

Whether Presumption Trusts in God or in Our Own Power?
... OF PRESUMPTION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether presumption trusts in God or in
our own power? Objection 1: It would seem that presumption ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether presumption trusts in god.htm

Whether Presumption is Opposed to Fear Rather than to Hope
... Article Three Whether Presumption is Opposed to Fear rather than to Hope.
Whether Presumption is Opposed to Fear rather than to Hope ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article three whether presumption is.htm

Of Presumption (Two Articles)
... OF PRESUMPTION (TWO ARTICLES). We must now consider ... by excess. These are three,
namely, presumption, ambition, and vainglory. Secondly, we ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of presumption two articles .htm

Question Twenty-One of Presumption
... Question Twenty-One OF PRESUMPTION. OF PRESUMPTION We must now consider
presumption, concerning which there are four questions, i ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/question twenty-one of presumption.htm

Whether Presumption is More Opposed to Fear than to Hope?
... OF PRESUMPTION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether presumption is more opposed to fear
than to hope? Objection 1: It would seem that presumption ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether presumption is more opposed.htm

Presumption (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Ground for presuming; evidence probable, but not conclusive; strong probability;
reasonable supposition; as, the presumption is that an event has taken ...
/p/presumption.htm - 9k

Presumptuous (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Founded on presumption; as, a presumptuous idea. 3. (a.) Done with hold
design, rash confidence, or in violation of known duty; willful. Int. ...
/p/presumptuous.htm - 9k

Zophar (4 Occurrences)
... He is the most impetuous and dogmatic of the three (compare Job 11:2, 3; Job
20:2, 3); stung to passionate response by Job's presumption in maintaining that ...
/z/zophar.htm - 10k

Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... Even this, however, while an instinctive presumption, can hardly be called a proof
of survival after death, and it does not yield an idea of "immortality" in ...
/i/immortal.htm - 33k

Immortality (6 Occurrences)
... Even this, however, while an instinctive presumption, can hardly be called a proof
of survival after death, and it does not yield an idea of "immortality" in ...
/i/immortality.htm - 35k

Genealogy (29 Occurrences)
... explanation of the formation of tribes by the expansion and division of families
is not improbable, and is entitled to a certain presumption of correctness. ...
/g/genealogy.htm - 70k

Venture (10 Occurrences)
... in trade. 4. (vi) To hazard one's self; to have the courage or presumption
to do, undertake, or say something; to dare. 5. (vi) To ...
/v/venture.htm - 10k

Jacob's (34 Occurrences)
... patriarch Jacob. This creates a strong presumption in favor of the tradition:
and there is no good reason to doubt its truth. Standing ...
/j/jacob's.htm - 23k

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)
... an account of the consecration of Aaron and his sons (8); Aaron's first offering
for himself and the people (9); Nadab and Abihu's presumption in offering ...
/l/leviticus.htm - 42k

Lacedaemonians
... 5-23 is based, among other grounds, on that of a common descent of Jews and
Lacedaemonians from Abraham, for which the only probable presumption-suggested by ...
/l/lacedaemonians.htm - 8k

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