Beloved, I share this with you as a word first to my own heart and then from my own heart. This is a word I have been meditating on for this new year.
A presumptuous spirit
One thing is for certain, a presumptuous spirit will keep me out of God’s favor, blessing and approval. Presumption is always depicted in God’s Word as foolish, arrogant, and worthy of reproof. It’s false expectation. I cannot partake of God’s promised rest, enter into the fullness of the Spirit, fulfill God’s plan or call on my life, or enjoy His presence intimately while fostering or nursing a presumptuous spirit.
The best way to understand what a presumptuous spirit is would be to observe still photos from God’s Word when it was being exemplified:
”¢\tWhen David placed the ark on a "new cart” and ordered skilled musicians to play and "worship to ascend” during the first attempt to bring the Ark back.
”¢\tWhen Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark and help God’s reputation.
”¢\tWhen the 5 foolish virgins arrived at the Bridegroom’s house with no oil, expecting entry.
”¢\tWhen Satan tried to tempt Jesus to throw Himself from the temple presuming the angels would "bear Him up”. (Jesus didn’t give in to presumption)
”¢\tWhen Pharaoh’s army tried crossing the Red Sea after the children of Israel, expecting Israel’s miracle to be their own.
”¢\tWhen the false and deceived cry out "Lord, Lord” in Matthew 7 expecting Jesus to know them.
”¢\tWhen Nadab & Abihu offered false fire without the Lord’s blessing or instruction.
Ӣ\tWhen Joshua sent warriors to Ai without consulting the Lord and expecting victory.
”¢\tWhen Samson’s hair was shaved and he attempted to "go out as at other times” in victory.
”¢\tWhen Saul thought he had fulfilled the Lord’s request when he hadn’t.
”¢\tWhen Agag thought death (to his flesh) was over when it wasn’t.
Ӣ\tWhen the Israelites brought the Ark to battle as a war relic.
Ӣ\tWhen Uzziah tried to enter the temple to offer incense as king.
”¢\tWhen the rich man Jesus spoke about "built new barns to contain his wealth”, when his soul was in jeopardy.
Ӣ\tWhen Asahel chased after Abner and refused to turn aside and put on the armor he needed.
Ӣ\tWhen the churches of Revelation were coasting on in good works and yet Jesus had something against them.
The spirit of presumption is fueled by an absence of the fear of God, arrogance, personal agenda, selfish ambition, vain expectation. It’s a failure to examine self and it neglects sanctified introspection. It dismisses known sin, and plows forward impudently. Presumption makes one tread on forbidden ground, not realizing the path is slippery.
The spirit of presumption is the opposite of the spirit of contrition.
The contrite spirit says, "Is it I, Lord”? The Presumptuous spirit says, "I will never deny you”.
How to be cured from presumption:
Ӣ\tRepent of selfish ambition, self-seeking, and self-glory.
Ӣ\tConfess and forsake all known sin. Put away doubtful habits.
”¢\tIdentify areas where I might falsely be expecting God’s blessing when I am the quench or catalyst for failure (Joshua, get off your face, there is sin in the camp)
Ӣ\tConfess where you have been relying on your ministry prowess, reputation or experience instead of living in vital, daily communion with God.
Ӣ\tBegin to cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord.
”¢\tExamine yourself, your motives, your agenda in light of God’s Word. (Are you seeking great things for yourself, like Baruch? Jer. 45)
Ӣ\tFeed contrition by making much of Christ and others, and think little or nothing of self.
Ӣ\tStarve the flesh through fasting and prayer.
”¢\tDon’t rely on your own understanding, planning, or ability to solve a problem.
Ӣ\tMaintain a posture of humility that knows I am apt to fall, weak and in need of moment by moment grace.
Ӣ\tRemove noise, and vain jangling from your life. Be still, quiet and reverent before the Lord of all the earth. Draw near to hear, to listen, to be changed. Be still and know He is God and I am dust.
Ӣ\tLet other godly people in your life question you, examine you and reprove you with no inner or outer protest.
If the Lord moves you please share how He has spoken to you or given you an additional word on this that we all can benefit from.
In Him,
Kevin
