What does the Bible say about presumption?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible warns that presumption is the sinful confidence that treats God lightly, trusts self rather than his word, and expects his favor while persisting in unbelief or disobedience. Pharaoh’s defiance in Exodus 5:2 and Israel’s repeated complaints in Exodus 14:11-12, 17:7, and Numbers 21:5 show how easily hearts test the Lord instead of trusting him. Numbers 15:30 calls high-handed sin a serious rejection of God, while Deuteronomy 6:16 forbids putting him to the test. Deuteronomy 29:19-20 especially condemns the person who assures himself of peace while walking in stubbornness. Yet God calls sinners away from proud self-reliance to humble repentance and faith in his gracious provision.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- General scriptures concerning Exodus 5:2; Exodus 14:11; Exodus 14:12; Exodus 17:7; Numbers 15:30; Numbers 16:41; Numbers 21:5; Deuteronomy 6:16; Deuteronomy 29:19; Deuteronomy 29:20; 1 Kings 20:28; 1 Kings 22:24
- INSTANCES OF
- Satan, when he said to Eve, “You will surely not die,” Genesis 3:1-5
- Builders of Babel Genesis 11:4
- Abraham, in questioning about Sodom Genesis 18:23-32
- Moses, in rebuking Jehovah Numbers 11:11-15; Numbers 11:22
- Nadab and Abihu Leviticus 10:1; Leviticus 10:2
- Israelites, in ascending to the top of the hill against the Amalekites Numbers 14:44; Numbers 14:45
- Complaining at Meribah Exodus 17:2; Exodus 17:7
- In reviling God Malachi 1:6; Malachi 1:7; Malachi 1:12; Malachi 3:7; Malachi 3:8; Malachi 3:13
- Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Numbers 16:3
- Saul, in sacrificing 1 Samuel 13:8-14
- Sparing the Amalekites 1 Samuel 15:3; 1 Samuel 15:9-23
- Men of Beth-shemesh 1 Samuel 6:19
- Uzzah, in steadying the ark of the covenant 2 Samuel 6:6; 2 Samuel 6:7
- David’ s anger on account of Uzzah’ s death 2 Samuel 6:8
- David, in numbering Israel 2 Samuel 24:1-17
- Jeroboam 1 Kings 13:4
- Ben-hadad 1 Kings 20:10
- Uzziah 2 Chronicles 26:16
- Sennacherib 2 Chronicles 32:13; 2 Chronicles 32:14
- Job, in cursing the day of his birth Job 3
- Reproved by Eliphaz Job 4; Job 5
- Jonah Jonah 4:1-8
- Peter
- In objecting to Jesus’ statement that Jesus must be killed Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 8:32
- In reflecting upon his knowledge when he asked, amid a throng, who touched Jesus Luke 8:45
- In objecting to Jesus washing Peter’ s feet John 13:8
- In asking Jesus, “What will this man do?” John 21:20-22
- The disciples, in rebuking those who brought little children to Jesus Matthew 19:13; Mark 10:13; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:15
- The disciples, in their indignation at the anointing of Jesus Matthew 26:8; Matthew 26:9; Mark 14:4; Mark 14:5; John 12:5
- Reproving Jesus John 7:3-5
- James and John, in desiring to call down fire upon the Samaritans Luke 9:54
- Those who reviled Jesus Matthew 27:42; Matthew 27:43; Mark 15:29-32
- Theudas Acts 5:36
- The sons of Sceva Acts 19:13; Acts 19:14
- Diotrephes 3 John 1:9
- See BLASPHEMY, which is presumption
- See MOCKING
- See PRIDE
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- A characteristic of the wicked 2 Peter 2:10
- A characteristic of Antichrist 2 Thessalonians 2:4
- Exhibited in
- Opposing God Job 15:25; Job 15:26
- Wilful commission of sin Romans 1:32
- Self-righteousness Hosea 12:8; Revelation 3:17
- Spiritual pride Isaiah 65:5; Luke 18:11
- Esteeming our own ways right Proverbs 12:15
- Seeking precedence Luke 14:7-11
- Planning for the future Luke 12:18; James 4:13
- Pretending to prophecy Deuteronomy 18:22
- Pray to be kept from sins of Psalms 19:13
- Saints avoid Psalms 131:1
- Punishment for Numbers 15:30; Revelation 18:7; Revelation 18:8
- Exemplified
- Builders of Babel Genesis 11:4
- Israelites Numbers 14:44
- Korah &c Numbers 16:3; Numbers 16:7
- Men of Bethshemesh 1 Samuel 6:19
- Uzzah 2 Samuel 6:6
- Jeroboam 1 Kings 13:4
- Benhadad 1 Kings 20:19
- Uzziah 2 Chronicles 26:16
- Sennacherib 2 Chronicles 32:13; 2 Chronicles 32:14
- Theudas Acts 5:36
- Sons of Sceva Acts 19:13; Acts 19:14
- Diotrephes 3 John 1:9
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about presumption and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about presumption