Psalm 19:13 stopped me short this morning. I wondered – it is interesting that, as many times as I have read this Psalm I haven’t wondered before – what exactly presumptuous sin might be. I looked up the word, it is variously translated in the old testament:
So the question becomes when am I arrogant and in what domains? Where does pride emerge in my life? When do I presume – I needed more help so I looked up the word in a dictionary…
“Overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy); taking liberties.”
When have I pushed beyond the place the relationship will bear? When have I taken liberties with a person that I have not earned?
As I think through my behavior I can identify far too many instances when I have done all of these things.
Lord keep back thy servant from presumptive sins!
- Arrogance
- Pride
- Presumption
“Overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy); taking liberties.”
When have I pushed beyond the place the relationship will bear? When have I taken liberties with a person that I have not earned?
As I think through my behavior I can identify far too many instances when I have done all of these things.
Lord keep back thy servant from presumptive sins!
Very helpful definitions, and piercingly applicable. I think of Peter in Matthew 16, rebuking the Lord (!) with, "Not so, Lord; this shall never happen to you!" He had this attributed to being a mouthpiece for the devil!
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to see how this was WAY out of bounds. But how many times have I done something similar, to a brother (or sister) or worse, as Peter to the Lord? I shall never know all, but may the frequency diminish!