Presumption

As I study vigilance, the most unsettling notion so far has been presumption
and how it develops from an autopilot mentality. Discipleship is a daily choice
to keep following Jesus, yet I find automatic patterns trying to attach
themselves to my walk with God. Automatic withdrawals, bill pay, and refills
may be a good, efficient idea, and autopilot may be great for flying planes,
but when it comes to relationships, especially with God, it’s sleepy.

An autopilot mentality in discipleship is based on the assumption that we can
ease through life without taking up our cross. Presumption puts that thought
into action. Yes, there is protection and favor as we dwell in God (See A Study
of Psalm 91), but dwelling in God is the condition. Presuming God’s protection
without abiding is a sin, and its idol is self, and it leads to a world of
unnecessary trouble.

Let’s look at 1 Samuel 15:23. It’s a powerful verse that cuts to the heart of the
matter. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.

The two thoughts joined together make a complete thought for the context of
King Saul’s trouble. He ignored a command from God, he got tired of
waiting, and took matters into his own hands. Let’s be clear. We don’t want
any part of that kind of trouble. Samuel’s correction to Saul addresses his
rebellion and the idolatry behind it.

I want to take a closer look at the second part of the verse. I think it will help
us understand why we question the accuracy of scripture and God’s spoken
word to us when we face disappointment, delays, and trials. In doing so, we
will also identify the path to an autopilot mindset.

Whenever I’m tempted or have thoughts that question the Bible or a word
from God, there is always an idol or the making of one close by. 100% of the
time. I am learning to take those tempting thoughts captive and quickly find
the idol so it can be smashed and I can obey (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

HOW PRESUMPTION IS AN IDOL
Assuming is the idea that we already know or that we know better.
Presumption is acting on assumptions. Merriam-Webster tells us that to
presume is to overstep and take liberties, and it is an action dictated by
probability. In Hebrew, the word means “to press, as in press for one’s way,”
and it means “arrogance.”

Combine those definitions with the biblical idea of an idol, anything we rely
on instead of trusting in God, and it is easy to see that presumption makes an
idol out of what we know (or think we know) as we push for our way. Yikes!

From the get-go, we can see that presumption is not an attitude we want to
operate in. Humility gets low, and will relinquish our will to the Father. Jesus
demonstrated humility and vigilance by praying. (See Are You Still Sleeping? )
Specifically, he prayed, not my will, but yours be done. Pride always exalts
and pursues self. It is the opposite of the spirit of Christ, and it is a stupor
waiting to imprison us.

The autopilot approach to discipleship assumes we already know and coasts
on that knowledge instead of pressing on to know the Lord. It’s not biblical.
Nowhere in scripture do we see followers of God on autopilot. Being
disciples of Christ is a diligent follow to learn from him. In the pursuit, we are
being transformed in a miraculous, glorious way. But, make no mistake,
preparing to be the bride of Christ is a costly pursuit to know Jesus and
become like him.

Assumption and presumption do not want to learn. They do not want to
follow, they do not want to wait, and they do not want to watch. They are
satisfied with what they already know and act accordingly. If I’m reading 1
Samuel 15 correctly, that is rebellion against God’s way, and it carves an idol
out of self.

We are not self-sufficient. That title belongs to God—El Shaddai. We are
needy people. Like a deer pants for water, we should pursue God. How often
do deer pursue water? It’s the sum of their existence. To be a people, a bride
watching and waiting for Jesus’ return, we will be awake, alert, buying oil for
our lamps. Our rest comes as we abide and trust in God’s every word.

HOW IDOLS LEAD TO DISTRUST
Idols exist because we are relying on something/someone other than God,
and they lead us to distrust God, his word, his kingdom, and even his church.
I find it peculiar that even though idols are dead, they are never satisfied.
They will keep carving more and more space in our hearts, demanding more
and more high places if we don’t smash them.

Let’s use the example of exalting safety and comfort, among other things,
above trusting God with troubles we come up against. I know I’ve been guilty
of this in the past. Faith declares the promise of God over our families and
then continues to lean on him. When trouble or trials come, we look to him
for salvation—for the help of his presence (Psalm 42:11, NASB). But if an idol is
in place instead of faith in God, when troubles come, we will accuse God of
not being faithful.

Satan doesn’t miss a beat. He seeks to devour, and idols give him an open
door for accusations. He will use anything—hardships, changes (good or
bad), trauma, people, accidents, etc., to point to the Bible and accuse it of
being wrong, to point to God and accuse him of withholding, and to point to
the church and accuse it of being foolish. The way to shut Satan’s mouth is to
get out of the stupor of autopilot, to rid ourselves of presumption, and whet
our appetite for God and his Word.

Friends, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to search us, and expose the idols in place,
and reveal every presumption that has a root in our hearts, soul, mind, and
strength.

Here are a few practical ways to guard against presumption.

• Stay diligent. Feed on the Word of God daily. Cut off idols. Give
  them no space.
• Befriend the Holy Spirit. Spirit life is not a one-time connection or
  seasonal to-do list. It’s every day— we get to commune with the Holy
  Spirit every day.
• Beware of Accusations. If you hear accusatory thoughts in your mind,
  cut them off and seek the Lord’s thoughts.
• Counter it. When the Holy Spirit highlights a presumption, ask for
  more help. How do I align with the Word of God? Take it captive and
  replace it with the truth of God’s word.

from Vigilance, Issue No.1. Download a free copy HERE