Topical Bible: Presumption: Exhibited in Self-Righteousness

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Presumption, in the context of self-righteousness, refers to an overestimation of one's own righteousness and moral standing before God, often accompanied by a lack of humility and an unwarranted confidence in one's own abilities or status. This attitude is frequently condemned in Scripture, as it reflects a heart that is not fully reliant on God's grace and mercy.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

1. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: One of the most illustrative parables concerning self-righteousness is found in Luke 18:9-14. Jesus tells the account of a Pharisee and a tax collector who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed, "God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I receive" (Luke 18:11-12). In contrast, the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling to even lift his eyes to heaven, and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13). Jesus concludes that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God, highlighting the danger of self-righteous presumption.

2. The Rich Young Ruler: In Matthew 19:16-22, a rich young man approaches Jesus, asking what good deed he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by listing the commandments, to which the young man replies, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" (Matthew 19:20). His presumption lies in his belief that he has fulfilled the law perfectly, yet he fails to recognize his attachment to wealth, which Jesus exposes by instructing him to sell his possessions and follow Him. The young man's sorrowful departure reveals the inadequacy of self-righteousness.

3. The Laodicean Church: In Revelation 3:14-22, the church in Laodicea is rebuked for its lukewarmness and self-sufficiency. The Laodiceans claim, "I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing," yet they are unaware of their true spiritual state: "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). Their presumption in their own sufficiency blinds them to their need for Christ's righteousness.

Warnings Against Self-Righteousness

1. Isaiah's Rebuke: The prophet Isaiah warns against self-righteousness, declaring, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). This stark imagery underscores the futility of relying on one's own righteousness apart from God's grace.

2. Paul's Teaching: The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, addresses the presumption of self-righteousness among the Jews who relied on the law for their justification. He writes, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20). Paul emphasizes that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through human effort or adherence to the law.

3. James on Humility: James, the brother of Jesus, exhorts believers to humility, warning against the presumption of self-righteousness. He writes, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). This teaching aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God values a contrite and humble heart over self-assured righteousness.

The Call to True Righteousness

The Bible consistently calls believers to recognize their dependence on God's grace and to seek righteousness through faith in Christ. Self-righteous presumption is a barrier to genuine relationship with God, as it places confidence in human effort rather than divine provision. True righteousness is found in acknowledging one's own sinfulness and embracing the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 12:8
And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labors they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 3:17
Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Five Fears
... with poor, desponding spirits, have exhibited the most ... the most confident will not
go into presumption. ... down each idol"self-will, self-righteousness." And I ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/five fears.htm

section second.
... It is this which must combat the presumption of a ... servant-form, in its full extent
as exhibited above ... in whose life the conceit of self-righteousness, by which ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/section second.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... Now, I saw still in my dream, that they went on until they were come to the place
that Simple, and Sloth, and Presumption,[104] lay and slept in, when ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... with fetters upon their heels. The name of the one was Simple, another Sloth,
and the third Presumption. Christian then seeing them ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm