February 16, 2025

A few years ago, my grandfather told me a story about snowmobiling with friends. He was traveling quickly and went over a small cliff at a high rate of speed this was not an issue because he had enough inertia to carry him to flat ground where he landed and continued his journey. The couple following him was not moving as fast. They stopped and the wife asked if it was safe to proceed. Her husband asked if the tracks continued, she said they did. He then said “well it must be good lets go.” No sooner had he said it than they dropped straight down off the cliff. Everyone was okay and they laughed about the situation later, but the story is a good illustration about why we should not jump to conclusions or presume. 

Neal Pollard offers a few Biblical Observations about Presumption:

PRESUMPTION CAUSES ONE TO KNOW BEFORE HAVING INFORMATION.  Solomon, by inspiration, says, “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him” (Prov. 18:13).  That applies to poor listeners in a conversation, but also faulty perception about one’s circumstances.   It is a biblical principle to be certain of a situation before ever uttering a word about it.  Think of how foolish it is to pass judgment without a full hearing.

PRESUMPTION CAUSES ONE TO HAVE BOLDNESS WITHOUT FOUNDATION.  In 2 Peter 2:10, Peter references certain unrighteous ones, saying, “Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.”  They fearlessly and recklessly speak against others, even those in authority, based on personal opinions they confuse with the truth (here is the idea of “self-willed” or “arrogant”).  They rant and rave about the object of their fury based on preconceived notions that they will not clutter up with the actual truth.

PRESUMPTION CAUSES ONE TO SIN WITHOUT RESTRICTION.  This is why David prayed, “Also keep back your servant from presumptuous sins” (Psa. 19:13a).  It is a prayer for self-control against willful sinning.  He speaks of this same, arrogant spirit, using a word elsewhere translated “proud.”  Willfully entering into sin hardens the heart, including saying something against somebody which we are certain we do not know with certainty is true.

Presumption is especially problematic when we apply it to people. I hear this most often in politics someone will say “I know what the Conservatives are really about” or “I know what the Liberals really want.” If you have proof, then feel free to expose those who are up to no good. However if you are just guessing then that’s a problem. Worse yet is personal presumption. In a similar way I have heard people accuse saying “you claim it was an accident, but I know what you were really trying to do.” “You said such and such, but I know what you meant.” These kinds of accusations are harmful and dangerous first because they impugn someone’s character. Second they leave the person making them feeling anxious and suspicious of everyone and everything. 

~ Kevin Cleary