Presumptuous sins, also known as willful sins, are committed when a person intentionally disobeys God’s law and commandments, even though they know it’s wrong. This type of sin often stems from pride, arrogance and believing we know better than God. Here’s an in-depth look at what the Bible says about presumptuous sins:
Definition of Presumptuous Sins
The word “presumptuous” means to act with audacity, boldness or without thought or care for consequences. A presumptuous sin is when we arrogantly and deliberately disobey a command or law of God. It goes beyond simply giving into temptation or making a mistake – presumptuous sin is a willful act of pride and disobedience against God.
The Bible speaks about this type of sin in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, presumptuous sin is often described as acting “with a high hand” against God (Numbers 15:30). This implies shaking a fist at God and boldly disregarding His commands. Other verses speak of the proud, haughty or arrogant heart that characterizes presumptuous sin (Psalm 19:13, Luke 18:9).
The New Testament refers to presumptuous sins as “willful sins” (Hebrews 10:26). This reinforces the idea that they are intentional, deliberate sins done in full knowledge that we are rebelling against God’s law.
Examples of Presumptuous Sins
The Bible gives us many examples of presumptuous or willful sins throughout Scripture:
– Idolatry – Worshiping false idols is a frequent presumptuous sin called out in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 17:2-7). Israel was commanded to destroy idols, but arrogant hearts led them to deliberately disobey God.
– Adultery – Jesus equated adultery with willful disobedience when He said “Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Adultery starts with a prideful attitude that disregards God’s commands.
– Covetousness – We commit presumptuous sin when we long for things God has forbidden (Exodus 20:17, Romans 7:7-8). Choosing to covet is a bold act of disobedience.
– Murder – Cain’s murder of Abel was premeditated and willful (Genesis 4:8). Taking innocent life is a shaking of the fist at God Himself.
– False testimony – Giving false testimony against someone is presumptuous because it willfully violates God’s command not to bear false witness (Proverbs 19:9).
– Despising God’s law – Presumptuous sin can be as basic as arrogantly choosing to despise and disregard God’s law and commands (Nehemiah 9:29). An attitude of proud lawlessness.
– Hardened hearts – When we continue stubbornly sinning, rejecting God’s discipline and warnings, we demonstrate willful disobedience (Jeremiah 7:24, Hebrews 3:13).
– Rebellion – The act of rebelling against God-given authority is presumptuous sin (Romans 13:2, 1 Samuel 15:23).
Many other examples could be given. But in general, any sin done intentionally, arrogantly and in defiance of God’s law qualifies as a presumptuous sin.
The Danger and Seriousness of Presumptuous Sins
The Bible is clear that presumptuous or willful sinning is extremely dangerous and serious in God’s eyes. Here are some of the reasons it’s so hazardous:
– It flows from pride – Presumptuous sin cannot be committed from a humble heart. The very act of willful disobedience originates from the sin of pride and arrogance against God. This is perhaps the root issue.
– It hardens the heart – Choosing to boldly sin hardens our hearts, sears our consciences and makes us less sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 4:2).
– It can lead to apostasy – Continual presumptuous sinning can lead a person to completely reject and turn away from the faith. They know the truth yet defiantly refuse to obey it (Hebrews 6:4-6).
– It incurs guilt – Unlike sins committed in ignorance, presumptuous sins make us fully guilty before God because it is willful disobedience (Leviticus 5:17-19).
– It invites judgment – There is a real danger of incurring God’s discipline and wrath when we arrogantly shake our fists at Him and do what we know is wrong (Jeremiah 44:3, Romans 2:5).
So presumptuous sins are dangerous because they demonstrate a heart that is swollen with pride and unwilling to submit to God. The choosers and consequences associated with ongoing rebellion and apostasy are very serious.
Old Testament Laws Against Presumptuous Sin
The Law of Moses made it clear that presumptuous sins were to be dealt with swiftly and severely under the Old Covenant. Some of the laws instituted included:
– The death penalty – Willful acts like idolatry, adultery, blasphemy and Sabbath-breaking were punishable by death because they were deliberate acts of defiance (Exodus 21:14, Leviticus 20).
– Being cut off – For some presumptuous sins like sexual immorality, the offender was to be “cut off” or excommunicated from the people of Israel (Leviticus 18:29).
– No atonement – No sacrificial atonement was available for presumptuous sins (Hebrews 10:26). This demonstrated the gravity of willful disobedience under the Old Covenant.
– Divine retribution – God directly struck down people like Nadab and Abihu for offering unauthorized fire (Leviticus 10:1-3). Their presumption cost them their lives.
While we are no longer under the Old Covenant Law, these severe punishments help us understand God’s perspective on presumptuous sins. He hates pride and willful rebellion against His ways. Under grace, God’s methods now involve more patience and discipline rather than immediate death, but the danger has not passed.
New Testament Warnings Against Presumption
The New Testament contains multiple strong warnings against presumptuous sins among believers. The fact that willful sinning was just as dangerous under the New Covenant demonstrates God’s unchanging view of pride and disobedience.
Here are some of the key passages that warn believers today:
– Romans 2:5 – Paul warns of the coming “day of wrath” for those who are self-seeking and disobedient to the truth.
– Hebrews 10:26-27 – The writer warns that those who “go on sinning willfully” face only “a fearful expectation of judgment and raging fire.”
– 2 Peter 2:10 – False teachers are condemned for being audacious and willful in their blasphemy and immorality. They are “not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings.”
– Jude 1:8 – Jude condemns the willful disobedience of false teachers who “reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.”
– 2 Peter 2:20-22 – Those who escape sin but become entangled again are worse off than before. It would have been better not to know the way of righteousness.
– 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 – Paul warns arrogant believers who think they are strong to be careful lest they fall into willful sin and disobedience also.
The consistent message is clear: Don’t be arrogant but fear the consequences of willful, presumptuous sinning. The grace of the New Covenant provides forgiveness when we repent, but does not give us license to proudly disregard God’s commands.
Biblical Examples of God’s Response to Presumption
The Bible contains many sobering accounts of how God actively opposed and judged presumptuous sinning. Here are some notable examples we can learn from:
– Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3) – These priests offered unauthorized fire and were swiftly judged.
– Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7) – When Uzzah touched the ark contrary to God’s law, he was immediately struck dead, even though he had good intentions.
– Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) – God judged them for lying to the Holy Spirit by striking them dead instantly.
– Herod (Acts 12:20-23) – When Herod permitted people to worship him as a god, he was struck with worms and died because he did not give glory to God.
– Judgment of homosexuality (Romans 1:18-32) – Paul says God “gave them over” to their sexual impurity as a judgment for their idolatry. A dramatic example of God “giving people over” to the consequences of their sin.
Though these cases are all from the Bible, they communicate God’s heart regarding presumption. When His grace and patience are ignored, and proud willful disobedience persists, stern discipline often follows as Hebrews warns. His judgments are meant to turn hearts back to Him and deter others from presuming upon His grace (Jude 1:7).
King David’s Presumptuous Sins
King David stands out as a biblical example of someone who fell into willful, presumptuous sinning more than once. His story provides a sober warning for all:
– Adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11) – Though devoted to God for years, David willfully committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the death of her husband. He knew God’s law yet defiantly broke it.
– Census of fighting men (2 Samuel 24) – Though Joab warned him this was wrong, David’s pride caused him to presumptuously order the census anyway.
– In both cases, David came under God’s direct and painful discipline (2 Samuel 12:9-14, 24:10-17). God actively opposed the presumptuous sins of His servant.
Yet the good news is that when David repented, God relented from His judgments (2 Samuel 12:13, 24:25). This demonstrates that while presumptuous sin brings consequences, God honors genuine repentance with mercy. There is always hope if we turn our proud hearts back to God.
Avoiding Presumptuous Sin in Our Lives
How can believers today steer clear of presumptuous sins and willful rebellion? Here are some biblical keys to avoiding pride and deliberate disobedience:
– Ask God to search our hearts for any prideful way (Psalm 139:23-24). Self-examination should lead to repentance.
– Submit to God in every area of life (James 4:7). Yielding our will destroys pride and rebellion.
– Walk in the fear of the Lord, not arrogance (Proverbs 8:13, 16:6). Developing an awe and respect for God will prevent presumption.
– Meditate on God’s Word to strengthen obedience (Psalm 119:11). Immersing our minds in Scripture renews our thinking.
– Surrender self-will and pray for obedience (Luke 22:42). As Jesus did, ask for God’s will, not our own.
– Accept trials and discipline with humility (Hebrews 12:5-11). Don’t let hardship make us bitter and defiant.
– Value a clean conscience (Acts 24:16). A sensitive conscience will restrain us from willful sin.
By God’s grace, avoiding presumptuous sin begins with an attitude of humility. When we recognize our dependence on God, we are less likely to proudly and defiantly shake our fists at Him or His commands.
Forgiveness for Presumptuous Sin
Though presumptuous sins are dangerous and serious, the Bible offers hope when they have been committed. As King David’s example shows, God will forgive even willful disobedience when genuine repentance occurs:
– God is merciful and ready to pardon (Nehemiah 9:17). His grace exceeds our worst sins when we turn back to Him.
– If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). God cleanses those who admit and repent of willful disobedience.
– The blood of Christ purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient even for deliberate acts of rebellion.
– Sheep who go astray can return to the Shepherd (John 10:27-28). The promise of God’s grace helps restore backsliders.
However, we should never take God’s forgiveness lightly. True repentance involves a deep godly sorrow and a turning from sin (2 Corinthians 7:10). Cheap grace without true heart change leads down a dangerous path.
When we find ourselves far from God in presumptuous sin, humility and contrition are the only proper responses. And He promises to abundantly pardon those who are truly penitent. God’s grace provides both a warning against presumption as well as the hope of forgiveness when we turn back to Him.
