Presumptuous Sin
Psalms 19:7-14
In Psalm 19 David asks for help against presumptuous sin. Every sin is greatly evil and is offensive to God, but there are some sins that are more grievous than others. These are known as presumptuous sins. Today we will look at what presumptuous sins are, whether or not they can be forgiven, and how we should deal with presumptuous sin.
I. What is presumptuous sin?
A. Presumptuous is sin that is committed willfully against known truth and knowledge in total disregard for that revealed truth.
1. A sin of ignorance is not presumptuous sin.
2. Ezekiel 45:20 "And so you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance. Thus you shall make atonement for the temple.”
3. Adam and Eve provide an illustration of the distinction between the two.
4. 1 Timothy 2:14 “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”
5. Adam knew what he was doing – willingly, willfully. He was not without understanding as to his choice of action. He had revelation to his purposeful act.
6. In Joshua 6:18 Israel was told “"And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.” In the next chapter we find Achan willfully going against the revealed command and coveting, hiding and stealing a Babylonian garment.
7. Presumptuous sin is a violation against the witness of conscience, given counsel, and/or a revelation of the Word.
B. Presumptuous sin is sin that is committed with deliberation or forethought
1. A passing thought to sin is not presumptuous sin. When the thought is mulled over and enacted upon that it becomes willful or presumptuous sin.
2. James 1:14-15 “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
3. Someone has said that “Dwelling on unclean thoughts nurtures the ‘seeds’ of sin in our heart”.
C. Presumptuous sin is sin that is committed with the intention of sinning.
1. It is knowing that which is wrong and with deliberation and disregard intending to do it anyway.
2. We intentionally sin, with our eyes open, and with a heart that says, "I know God says this is wrong and harmful, but I just don't care what God thinks; I'm going to do it anyway."
3. Hebrews 10:28 "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:"
4. Presumptuous sin is sin that is committed defiance
5. Numbers 15:30-36 “‘But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised the word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.’” 32 Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34 They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him. 35 Then the LORD said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36 So, as the LORD commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.
6. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
D. Presumptuous sin is a sin that is committed out of arrogant self confidence
1. Presumptuous sin is when one says, "Tomorrow I intend to do this or that, or get involved in such-and-such a society, because I believe, though it hurts other people, it does me no hurt."
2. It is feeling we are above temptation and sin ourselves, feeling we can go so far to the edge of sin but no further.
3. A presumptuous sin is a sin that relies on the success of the past. It is committed with the idea that since God hasn’t judged me yet, so He probably won’t judge me at all. God forgave me the last time I sinned and it’s apparent that He did nothing about my sin; therefore He will do nothing the next time I sin.
4. Ecclesiastes 8:11 “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”
5. Like Samson we feel we can toy with sin and not get burned. Until we get our haircut in the devil’s barbershop.
II. Is there any forgiveness for presumptuous sin?
A. It is remarkable, that though atonement was provided under the Jewish law for every kind of sin, there was this one exception: the soul that sins presumptuously was to have no atonement. The individual was to be cut off from the Israel. There would be no forgiveness.
B. David addresses the subject of ignorant and willful sin in Psalm 32. He writes, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven…” (32:1). F. W. Grant, in his commentary on the Psalms, explains that the meaning of the word translated “transgression” has the force of “willful rebellion”... how is it possible for the sin of willful rebellion to be forgiven? The law made no provision for willful sin, yet David’s willful sin was forgiven. The solution is found in the infinite and unequaled grace of God. David did not look at the limited provisions in the law, but rather to the unlimited provisions found in the mercy and grace of a Sovereign God. He traces this grace of God, “I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (32:5 NKJV). The stress and source of forgiveness is upon the “Lord” and His forgiveness; “and You forgave…” The law made no provision for willful sin, but with God there is full provision for the forgiveness of sin. The true Sin Offering, in His finished work on the cross displayed the all-sufficient grace of God for all men. - copied
C. 1 Peter 3:18a "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
D. Ephesians 1:7 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."
E. While we may find forgiveness in Christ, if we continue in willful sin we must be ready to face the consequences of our action.
F. Hebrews 10:26-27 “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.” 1 John 5:16 “...There is sin leading to death.”
III. What should our attitude be toward presumptuous sin?
A. Avoid patterns of Sin in our lives
1. 1 John 3:6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
2. 1 John 3:9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God
B. Confess sin immediately
1. 1 John 2:1 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
2. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
C. Warn those who presumptuously sin
1. James 5:20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
