These passages say, “The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked goes out. Through presumption comes nothing but strife, but with those who receive counsel is wisdom.”
The Bible characterizes a righteous person as one who has the light of God’s presence within them. A righteous person regularly reads God’s Word, the Bible. As a result they fill themselves with God’s Truths. As they live their lives, their light will grow brighter and brighter within them.
However, a wicked person rejects God and His Word. As a result, they are filled with darkness rather than light. Without the light of God’s presence, their soul will suffer and one day will die.
Another characteristic of a righteous person is that they always listen to the counsel of God’s Word. Therefore, they adjust their behavior as needed according to wise counsel. They realize that they are not perfect, and they are receptive to God molding and shaping them.
Furthermore, a righteous person does not assume that they are of God’s elect and are assured of going to Heaven. Rather, they hope for their Salvation as they travel the pathway of life. Unfortunately, there are some Christian organizations that teach their members their Salvation is assured. However, the Bible does not support this doctrine. I believe these organizations are guilty of a presumptuous sin.
We must not presume. Rather we need to be anchored to the Word of God and live our lives accordingly. We need to be hopeful that God will one day allow us into heaven.
