Presumptous sins and Psalm 19

“Moreover by them (Words of God) is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me: then shall I blameless, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”

Over the years I have met many well intention Christians who believed they had a word from God for me.  Many of these words have come to fruition; many have not.  How does one know when someone has a genuine word from God?  Before I answer this, I would first like to visit Judges 20, when the children of Israel presumptuously went into battle only to find out that God was not with them.  Even after strengthening their resolve and weeping, they found themselves in the middle of great conflict without the presence and power of God.  As a result, their presumption, that God was with them, led to disastrous defeat and death for more than forty thousand!

            David in Psalm 19 tells us that there is great reward in keeping God’s Word. One of the rewards in keeping His Word is the fact that we are cleansed from secret faults. Those lurking sins that linger in the deep recesses of our heart are held at back when we interact with the Word of God. This daily interaction, meditation, and obedience to the Word, keeps us from presumptuous sins—sins that tempt us to do and say things that we believe are from God when actually are contrary. Our heart can be so deceitful. “Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins.” I have heard a spouse say that she heard God speak to her about leaving her husband. I can assure you that she did not hear from God.  A year ago I heard from a husband who was adamant about leaving his wife—also God’s wil, according to him.  The list goes on and on with so many of us who have presumptuously determined the will of God, when we are only following our own selfish emotions, trying fill the emptiness of our own heart. 

            To be “Innocent from great transgression” may refer to adultery.  In some ancient near eastern contexts, “great transgression” was referred to as adultery.  Placing oneself under the influence of God’s Word, keeps us from sins that, left uninhibited, will eventually destroy us.  Truly, blessed are those who are pure in heart for they shall see God.  And how can we be truly pure?  “You are clean through the Word which was spoken unto you.” John 15:3