Presumption and foolishness – counterfeits of real faith

Presumption and foolishness are two huge counterfeits to genuine Biblical faith. The enemy wants to steal your faith by deceiving you with these counterfeits to genuine faith. He wants to deceive believers into living by a “faith that is a fraud”. presumption and foolishness by Pastor Bruce EdwardsIn addition to foolishness and presumption there are two other counterfeits to genuine faith that he uses-

Two More Counterfeits of Biblical Faith

  1. Faith developed by personal philosophy. This is a huge problem that impacts many believers. They change “their” faith to match their personal experiences or the experiences of others. When they encounter a situation or outcome that is contrary to what they had believed by God’s Word they change what they believe to what they experienced or saw happen. I recently listened to a preacher teaching a series on faith, but he wasn’t teaching Biblical faith he was teaching his faith. Unfortunately “his” faith did not match true Biblical faith. Many of the things he said sounded reasonable and logical, but they weren’t the Bible. This kind of faith is a counterfeit to genuine faith.
  2. Faith in your faith. Real Biblical faith is trusting in God and what He has promised. Be careful not to put your trust in “your” faith. (read my teaching – “Don’t Over Estimate Your Faith” CLICK HERE)

Presumption and Foolishness

I want to spend the next couple of minutes explaining exactly what foolishness and presumption are and the dangers they present.

Some Christians because of a lack of understanding or lack of knowledge or wrong teaching do some ill advised things in the name of faith. Instead of “living by faith” they operate in foolishness or presumption. Some times their motives are pure and their heart is right and other times they’re motivated my greed and selfishness. Either way the end result is often disastrous.

People don’t buy insurance because they have “faith” that God will protect them. They won’t take medicine or go to the doctor because they’re trusting God to heal them. They write bad checks believing the money will be their by the time its cashed. They won’t get a job because they have faith God will provide for them. The list goes on and on. The bottom line all these actions while framed in the context of faith are really “foolishness and presumption”.

Presumption Defined

Presumption is a result of a lack of action on our part. We “PRESUME” upon God. For example, the Word says “God will supply all our need according to His riches in glory”. So, why should we do anything? Why would we go to work? Why not just believe God and release our faith because God will supply our need. This is presumption it is NOT faith. God blesses what we put our hand to. God is our source, but He expects us to do something. Faith requires corresponding action.

Foolishness Defined

Foolishness on the other hand is a result of taking action that tempts God. Satan led Jesus to the highest point of the temple and tried to tempt Him into jumping off, but Jesus answered, “It is written do not tempt the Lord your God”. (Luke 4:9) If you write a check on an account with no money because you have “faith” it will be their before it’s cashed that’s not faith it’s foolishness. Over the years I have seen people do all kinds of foolish, flaky, and crazy things in the name of faith.

In over thirty year of ministry I have had to deal with too many individuals and families that have jeopardized the well being of their children, family, and business by doing foolish things in the name of faith. Not providing for your children and family through a lack of action or foolish actions believing God will provide is not real faith. Not going to the doctor because your faith is in God to heal you is foolishness and presumptions.

We don’t put our faith in the doctor or medicine. Our faith is the Lord. He is the healer. Doctors and medicine are a provision from the Lord to help in the healing process. Going to the doctor or taking medicine is not a lack of faith. Just don’t put your faith in the medicine or doctor. Keep your faith in the Lord.

Faith takes Perseverance and Wisdom

Living by faith requires the wisdom and understanding of the Lord as we are led by the Spirit. (Proverbs 1:7) Often faith will seem foolish to the world. The Lord chooses the foolish things to confound the wise. There is always a balance in God’s Word. Genuine Biblical faith is simply trusting God. Biblical faith is based on believing what God has said in His Word even if what we see, feel, or experience seems to contradict it. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) It is that simple. However, living by true Biblical faith is not always easy. It takes perseverance and wisdom. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and be alert to the temptation of the enemy that will try and shift you from real faith to foolishness and presumption or some other counterfeit.

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