Faith Foolishness and Presumption!

We are living in a time that the bible calls the ‘end times’. In Matthew 24 we find Jesus explaining what that will look like.

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

When we look around, read the news, go on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or TikTok and listen to so many prophetic voices and interpretations of how near we are to the return of Jesus it can cause so many hearts, saved and unsaved, to feel a sense of fear and foreboding.

So, how do we navigate the times we live in and know whether we are in faith, foolishness or presumption?

Every time I’m on Facebook or YouTube, I come across multitudes of ministries that have something to say regarding everything that is currently in the news, giving their opinion or a spiritual perspective. One says this, another says something different, and if I’m not careful it’s so easy to be confused.

Do I stop watching the news, surfing the Net or listening to others?

I decided to read my Bible and have a conversation with the Holy Spirit concerning this whole subject of having an opinion without being hypocritical and self-opinionated. Silence wasn’t a choice as people have questions and want answers!

‘Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth.’ Eph 4:14

I have been reading Isaiah and as I began reading chapter 8 these scriptures jumped off the page!

‘The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,

“Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do,

and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life.

He is the one you should fear.

He is the one who should make you tremble.

He will keep you safe.” Isaiah 8: 12-14

What is a conspiracy?

A conspiracy is a secret agreement between two or more people to commit an illegal, harmful, or treacherous act. It involves planning unlawful activity—such as fraud, treason, or murder—often while keeping the scheme hidden from the public or authorities. Legally, it is an inchoate offence, meaning the crime is formed by the agreement itself.

Key Aspects of Conspiracy

Secrecy: Conspirators plot in secret to achieve an illicit goal.

Combination: It requires at least two or more persons acting together.

Unlawful Purpose: The objective is to commit a crime, fraud, or civil wrong.

Legal Definition: It is an inchoate offence (a crime committed just by agreeing to commit a crime), which means no overt act is necessarily required in some jurisdictions to be convicted.

Usage Examples

Legal: "The four directors have denied conspiracy to defraud pensioners by misusing shares."

Political: "The CIA uncovered a conspiracy against the government."

General: "They entered a conspiracy of silence to cover up the mistake."

There are so many conspiracy theories going around and no doubt there are elements of truth in what is being reported or posted on line or in the news.

Here are a few of my thoughts that might help us as we navigate life.

Social media isn’t necessarily the place to go to for revelation /understanding of the times, as helpful as it can be.

The Bible, read with the Holy Spirit's wisdom and insight, gives us God’s heart and plans for us to pray into from a position of faith and confidence. Whatever we see, hear or read concerning our cities, towns, families or nations we can offer back to God in prayer.

The Holy Spirit will then breathe his life into our prayers and will enable us to hear and see clearly God’s plans and strategies to bring heaven to earth.

It’s the seek first the kingdom principle, putting aside personal vision and agenda.

Too often we are vision led rather than kingdom led!

‘I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.’ 1 Tim 2:1-3

It’s so easy to get carried away with how you would do things if you were in charge. I can feel you smiling at this. The number of times I have watched a football match and heard someone screaming at the player or manager. Don’t get me started on the government! “If I were……I would……”

I have learnt to moderate my own opinions regarding the above scripture, otherwise I could end up praying out of my own understanding and desire.

If heaven is to come to earth, then we have to pray from heaven's perspective, and the only way to get that is spending time with the Holy Spirit!

How many hours per day/week are we spending online?

Intimacy with the Net is no substitute for quality time spent in His presence.

Everything good comes out of intimacy with the Holy Spirit.

The bible should be our plumbline. Without deep roots in the word, we become what James describes as a double minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The Net can be very helpful and enlightening as there are some great ministries on there, but if that becomes our only source of revelation then the door to foolishness and presumption opens!

As a Christian we have been given a measure of faith. Romans 12:3. This grows as we exercise it! We know that faith comes as we hear the word of God. Romans 10:17.

What or who are you listening to?

Faith must be exercised and acted upon otherwise it’s futile.

Faith without works is dead. James 2:14-17.

Find the scriptures that cover your situation and put your faith into believing that if God has said it then it will happen. Believing despite what you’re seeing, feeling and hearing. I’m not saying it’s easy. It can be hard, very hard - it takes effort to talk contrary to experience. That’s why our relationship with the Holy Spirit and each other is so important. We can strengthen, encourage and help one another to get through the toughest of times. Words and actions - words alone, no matter how many scriptures you share, won’t cut it if the person needs some practical help! Is that faith, foolishness or presumption?

When I use my faith instead of operating in foolishness, I begin to act in line with the Word of God instead of presumption. That then allows God to work on my behalf.

What is presumption?

In a biblical context, presumption is the arrogant or unwarranted assumption of authority, privilege, or God’s favour, often characterized by overstepping boundaries, disobedience, or taking liberties with divine commands. It represents a "presumptuous sin" (Psalm 19:13) acting without God's direction, often rooted in pride.

Unauthorized Action: Acting without divine authority, such as Nadab and Abihu offering "unauthorized fire" (Leviticus 10:1-2) or Saul offering sacrifices improperly.

Overstepping Boundaries: The Israelites attempting to fight after God told them not to, resulting in defeat (Numbers 14:39-45).

False Security/Pride: The rich fool assuming he had years to live (Luke 12:16-21) or Nebuchadnezzar boasting of his own power (Daniel 4:30).

Wilful Disobedience: Knowingly violating God’s commands while expecting grace.

Warnings against Presumption:

Psalm 19:13: David prays to be kept back from "presumptuous sins" so they do not have dominion over him.

Matthew 7:22-23: Jesus warns those who perform works in his name but live in disobedience, calling them to "depart" because he never knew them.

Ouch! How many times have you and I fallen into this trap!

We don’t need to beat ourselves up, but we do need to repent where we have behaved like this. The Holy Spirit wants to empower us, so that we can flow with him, especially in prayer so that we can experience the reality of heaven invading earth.

God created a wonderful world for us to live in and made us the stewards of it.

God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them

reflecting our nature

So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,

the birds in the air, the cattle,

And, yes, Earth itself,

and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”

God created human beings;

he created them godlike,

Reflecting God’s nature.

He created them male and female.

God blessed them:

“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!

Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,

for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.” Gen 1:26-28

We are on this earth to make a difference, to make it a better place.

For some it’s in the home, others at work, school or positions of authority, local or national.

Make someone’s day today by words and actions that will bless and encourage them.

Don’t allow foolishness or presumption to rob you of your identity and purpose.

Ask for wisdom and discernment and become wise in God, not in your own eyes!