Faith or Presumption?

2 Timothy 1:5 KJV 

(5) When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

(CEV) … genuine faith. 

(MSG) …your honest faith. 

(BBE) your true faith. 

Presumption- To take as true or suppose something to be true …without examination…, or without direct or positive proof of the fact…

The opposite of an unfeigned faith is pseudo which means false. Other synonyms are artificial, fictitious, plastic.

An “unfeigned” faith is a faith that has been tested. 

Unfeigned faith can only be revealed in a fight.

(Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary) it is a faith that will stand the trial,

Examples of presumption in the bible:

1. The Children of Israel acted presumptuously:

Numbers 14:22-25, 30-34, 39-45 KJV

Many times, God's people are trying to have faith for things that God never said they could have or do and confessing things they never heard Him say. 

If you will seek God's kingdom and his purposes for your life,then your prosperity and blessing will be in that. 

Your prosperity is hidden in your purpose. 

2. Moses himself acted presumptuously:

Moses lived to be 120. He spent the first 40 years of his life thinking he was "somebody". He spent the second 40 years of his life finding out that he was a nobody. And he spent the last40 years of his life discovering what God could do with a nobody. 

Like with Moses, God has a refining process for all of us that has a real humbling effect on us...if we will let Him finish His work in us that is. (1 Peter 1:8,9; Psalm 32:6; Job 23:13)

Out of God’s timing Moses couldn't successfully bury one dead Egyptian. In God's timing, God buried the entire Egyptian army, horses, chariots including Pharoah!

Proverbs 19:2-3 NLT

(2) Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.

(3) People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.

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(AMP) 3 The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord.​

1. Paul taught how to guard against presumption:

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine…

2. Solomon taught how to guard against presumption:

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for itdetermines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:24 (KJV) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

3. David guarded his heart against presumption:

Psalms 19:12-14 KJV

Notice there are two types of sin mentioned: 

1. Secret 

2. Presumptuous

Barnes- Presumptious sins- The reference is particularly to sins, which proceed, from self-confidence and reliance on one’s own strength. The word does not mean open sins, or immoral sins (secret faults), so much as those which spring from self-reliance or pride. 

Psalms 25:12-13 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. (13) His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

3 ways to guard against Presumptuous decisions:

1. Become a self-adjuster. 

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine…

2. Let Peace be your guide (you do or don’t have a peace about it)

Colossians 3:15 (AMP) and let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

3. Let your requests be made known to God in prayer with a thankful heart.

Philippians 4:6 KJV Be careful for nothing; but in every thingby prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

(CEV) Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.