Topical Bible: Uprightness: The Being Kept from Presumptuous Sins is Necessary To

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Uprightness, in the biblical context, refers to a state of moral integrity and righteousness, aligning one's life with the divine standards set forth by God. It is a quality that is highly esteemed in Scripture, as it reflects a heart that is devoted to God and His commandments. The pursuit of uprightness is a central theme throughout the Bible, and it is closely linked to the avoidance of presumptuous sins.

Presumptuous Sins Defined

Presumptuous sins are those committed with willful intent and arrogance, often in defiance of God's laws. These sins are not committed out of ignorance or weakness but are deliberate acts of rebellion against God's authority. The psalmist David, in his prayer, highlights the danger of such sins and the need for divine assistance to avoid them: "Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression" (Psalm 19:13).

The Necessity of Being Kept from Presumptuous Sins for Uprightness

1. Maintaining a Blameless Walk: Uprightness requires a life that is free from the dominion of sin. Presumptuous sins, by their nature, can dominate and corrupt the heart, leading one away from the path of righteousness. The plea to be kept from such sins is a recognition of human frailty and the need for God's sustaining grace to maintain a blameless walk before Him.

2. Reflecting God's Holiness: As believers are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16), uprightness involves reflecting God's character in one's life. Presumptuous sins mar this reflection, as they are acts of defiance against God's holiness. By seeking to be kept from these sins, believers strive to uphold the purity and sanctity that God desires.

3. Cultivating a Heart of Humility: Uprightness is closely associated with humility, acknowledging one's dependence on God for strength and guidance. Presumptuous sins, on the other hand, stem from pride and self-reliance. The prayer to be kept from such sins is an expression of humility, recognizing that apart from God's help, one is prone to fall into arrogance and disobedience.

4. Ensuring Spiritual Growth: Spiritual maturity and growth in uprightness are hindered by the presence of presumptuous sins. These sins stunt spiritual development and create barriers in one's relationship with God. By seeking divine protection from such transgressions, believers open themselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, fostering growth in grace and knowledge of the Lord.

5. Preserving Testimony and Witness: An upright life serves as a powerful testimony to the world of God's transformative power. Presumptuous sins, however, can damage one's witness and bring reproach upon the name of Christ. Being kept from these sins is essential for maintaining a credible and effective witness to others.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that underscore the importance of being kept from presumptuous sins to maintain uprightness. King David, despite being a man after God's own heart, recognized his vulnerability to such sins and earnestly sought God's help to avoid them. His prayer in Psalm 19:13 reflects a deep understanding of the need for divine intervention to uphold righteousness.

The Apostle Paul also warns against the dangers of presumption, urging believers to examine themselves and live in a manner worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1). He emphasizes the importance of walking in the Spirit to avoid fulfilling the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

In summary, uprightness is a vital aspect of the Christian life, requiring a conscious effort to avoid presumptuous sins. Through prayer, reliance on God's grace, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers can be kept from these sins, ensuring a life that honors God and reflects His righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 19:13
Keep back your 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Covenant Duties.
... reformation, and, if accompanied by uprightness of deportment ... confederations we should
not be kept back, but ... with such constitutions, by being connected with ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Doing Glory to God in Pursuits of the World.
... to the Lord, and not to man, being both active ... impure and shameful thoughts, these
are kept off from ... not satisfied with the correctness or uprightness of some ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xi doing glory to.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... Christ, with all manner of justness and uprightness of life ... Paul exhort us to depart
from the being, motion, endeavour ... out to heaven for grace to be kept in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... nature, and are famed in all histories for uprightness and truth ... that a safe conduct
need not be kept, if promised ... is only a question of a heretic being let free ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... In the second place, although a man has kept himself pure ... and not shining, or of
sounds for being inharmonious and ... be at once simple in his uprightness in all ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... unto Him, We are sorry for our sins, and beg ... covered themselves with their veils,
and so kept on their ... you were entertained at the gate above, being, [as] ye ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... heaven, righteousness, holiness, goodness and uprightness: even as ... no longer than
while he kept himself from ... think themselves well, without being made spiritual ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm