How To Avoid The Sin of Presumption

1Kings 22:4-5 "Then he turned to Jehoshaphat and asked, “Will you join me in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead?”Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.” 5  Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.”  This story gives us a great example of how to avoid the sin of presumption. The king of Israel has ask Jehoshaphat the king of Judah to join him in battle and to help him reclaim a city taken by the enemy. I love Jehoshaphat's answer, why of course, my troops are your troops but first lets find out what the Lord says. This story rolls over into our lives so beautifully, how many times have you been ask by a family member or a friend to help them do something. Now many times those request are small insignificant things but sometimes they are major things. Will you loan me money, will you go into business with me, will you hire me or get me a job? Our answer like Jehoshaphat is of course I will help you, but first lets find out what the Lord says. When we presume that because it is somebody that we love we should automatically jump on board with what ever they are doing we commit the sin of presumption and in the end many times in will destroy your relationship with the person you were trying to help. Taking the time to seek the Lord always pays off and understand that seeking the Lord also mean seeking Godly counsel. The Lord has brought people into your life that have the experience and wisdom of God to help you make right choices. Before you rush into an major decision you need to first find out what the Lord says. Jehoshaphat and Ahab sought God but refused the counsel of the Lord and it cost Ahab his life. Here is the key to seeking God, when God speaks, by his spirit, his word or through Godly counsel you must do what he says to do. When you seek the Lord and then refuse to obey what he says, then not only are you going to suffer from a wrong decision but now you are in rebellion against God. But when we seek and obey him we can walk away in peace and know that his blessing is upon our lives. Don't presume, first find out what the Lord says.