PRESUMPTION by S. M. Spicer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 18, 1877

PRESUMPTION

By S. M. Spicer

“If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Matt. 4:6.

In this second as well as in the first temptation of the Saviour, the enemy began by insinuating that Jesus must put forth some direct effort to prove his divinity, that he must call out some special manifestation from Heaven to show that he was truly the Son of God. But neither in this did the Saviour yield. He answered, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” He chose not to commit himself to danger simply to tempt God’s saving power. No such exhibition was necessary to prove him the chosen of God. “This is my beloved Son” was spoken from Heaven, while the dove descended at his baptism; and all his miracles and works of mercy to suffering humanity were to testify to the Saviour’s divinity.

This temptation also represents a class common especially to those professing to be the children of God. They are taught in God’s word to exercise faith, and have confidence in God’s protecting, saving power in all trials and difficulties; and unbelief is represented as one of the sins most displeasing to Heaven.

But many, from mistaken zeal or perverted judgment, are led to go beyond, or outside of the wise plans of Providence, and tempt the Lord, demanding an unnecessary display of his power and mercy.

How often the children of Israel tempted the Lord during their journeyings in the wilderness, doubting his promises and his leadings, and rashly demanding the frequent, unnecessary manifestation of divine power to gratify their lusts and unbelief. We have often been astonished in reading the history of so rebellious a people,—a people who witnessed such sublime displays of God’s presence and power, such wonderful miracles to deliver out of the hand of enemies, and to supply with food and water; and yet who so often soon forgot all his mercies, tempted his power and despised his promised blessings. Says God, “Your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years;” “so I sware in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest.” But while we wonder at rebellious Israel, we even are exhorted, “Harden not your hearts as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.” Do any of us need this admonition? Do we ever in unbelief and hardness of heart tempt God? Let us study some of the diversified experiences of every-day life, wherein we even may have tempted God.

When we presume to step aside from the path God has plainly marked out and plead our own choice or necessity, we say like Lot, “Oh, not so Lord.” “Is it not a little one”—this variation from thy command? Cannot God be pleased to accept this once our very necessary substitute for his all-wise plans? Nay; only cheerful and unreserved obedience can be truly pleasing in his sight.

Yet we may err in the opposite extreme. We have seen individuals in blind fanaticism or morbid indifference, give up entirely the proper exercise of their judgment and the use of the means God has given them, in the blind conception that his almighty power and mercies will be all-sufficient for their day and need. Professing to throw themselves wholly on God’s care, perhaps they even neglect to labor to secure the products of the soil, forgetting that this is God’s plan for supplying the wants of his creatures; that labor, and diligence, and economy are the essential channels through which his manifold blessings can be bestowed. All such tempt God, and they will reap merited disappointment if not actual suffering for their presumption.

Though the tempter may not directly tell us to cast ourselves down from the pinnacle of the temple, he may tempt us to a thousand follies quite as presumptuous. God’s provision and promise is to take care of his children, when, by implicitly and fully following his direction, they are brought into danger; not when they rashly plunge themselves into the pit of destruction. While a blessing is pronounced upon those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, that soul must go unblest, who, by indiscretion or the manifestation of an improper spirit, calls forth persecution and trials. Many thrust themselves into the face of persecution in a manner that dishonors God and his truth. Such may mourn in vain the fruits of foolish presumption.

It is but a blind, unreasonable faith that would wrest God’s promises, and think to separate them from their proper bearings to sustain personal wishes and inclinations.

God has seen fit, in some instances, to contravene the laws he has established in nature, allowing miracles to attest his presence, will, and power. But feeble mortals cannot safely trifle with these great laws of the universe. They must not take up deadly serpents, in order to prove God’s preserving power. They must not needlessly violate the laws of health, trusting divine mercy to prevent consequent disease, or to heal if sick. To knowingly transgress any of God’s laws, physical or moral, may be expected to bring down upon the transgressor admonition and punishment instead of interposing mercy. It may be a mistaken zeal that drives one to overtax the powers of body or mind even in doing God’s work. If so, failure and suffering may be the sad result.

Numerous and diversified are the examples of the temptation to presumption. Even when we think we are walking in the light, a humble, careful examination of the heart motives might call for the prayer, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins.” “Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” S. M. SPICER.