Menkato V Awomi
Toluvi Village, Dimapur
This kind of practice is not rare, nor is it restricted to a specific culture or people—it can happen anywhere in the world and to anyone, even among our own Naga context. Among our people, there is often a sincere hunger to serve God, and many are genuinely anointed and feel the tug of ministry in their hearts. This is a beautiful thing. However, when the concept of ministry is discussed, most people instinctively associate it with church ministry—particularly the pulpit. That narrow understanding has sadly become the dominant perception among many of our people.
While the desire to serve God may be real, such a limited view of ministry has led to what I call “presumptuous faith”—a kind of misplaced confidence or assumption that leads many to prematurely act on their calling. Presumptuous faith happens when we confuse our zeal and excitement for God’s appointed timing. We begin to step into roles, start ministries, or even take leadership positions without God’s confirmation. This misstep, though often fueled by good intentions, has robbed many of their passion, true calling, and spiritual hunger.
Presumptuous Faith: Stepping Ahead of God
To clarify, presumptuous faith in ministry is walking into something spiritual or stepping into leadership before the appointed time set by God. It's faith without instruction, action without confirmation, and excitement without maturity. Scripture gives us several powerful examples of both the danger of presumptuous faith and the blessing of patience.
1. Moses: Acting Ahead of God's Time
Moses knew he was called by God to deliver the Israelites from bondage. But instead of waiting for God's timing, he took matters into his own hands by killing an Egyptian (Exodus 2). Though he was acting on a genuine sense of calling, it was premature and not led by God. As a result, Moses had to flee and spend 40 years in the wilderness before he was finally sent by God to fulfill that very calling. Presumption delayed his mission.
2. David: Anointed but Patient
David was anointed king while still a teenager, but he did not seize the throne immediately. He waited over a period before he actually became king. Despite having several chances to eliminate King Saul and take the throne, David chose to wait on God’s timing. His patience demonstrated his understanding that God’s plan must unfold in God’s time. When David finally became king, it was clear and undeniable—it was God’s doing, not his own.
3. Paul: Called but Trained
The apostle Paul had a dramatic encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. Although he began witnessing immediately, he did not start his full apostolic ministry right away. Galatians 1:18 reveals that Paul waited three years before visiting Jerusalem, and Galatians 2 shows that he returned after 14 years. Paul’s calling was clear, but he understood that there was a season of preparation and learning before stepping into full ministry.
4. King Saul: A Tragic Example
Saul, Israel’s first king, is a classic example of someone who acted presumptuously. Though anointed by God, Saul began to take matters into his own hands. He disobeyed God’s instructions and offered sacrifices that only the priest was permitted to offer. His repeated presumptions ultimately led to his downfall and replacement by David. Anointing without obedience and timing leads to ruin.
These biblical accounts underline one profound truth: a genuine calling still requires divine timing. A general call (like witnessing for Christ) applies to all believers, but specific calls (like being an apostle, pastor, or prophet) come with a distinct process and timing.
Our Naga Context: A Cautionary Mirror
In our own society, particularly in Nagaland, we witness this same pattern repeating itself. Many individuals, after sensing the call of God, pursue theological education—through seminaries, Bible schools, conferences, or short-term programs. These institutions play a vital role in grounding believers in the Word and equipping them for service. Especially in charismatic or spirit-filled schools, the Bible is taught faithfully and passionately.
However, a problem often arises after the training. Students who have just started to grasp spiritual truths become overly zealous. They know they are anointed, they believe they are called, and they are eager to serve. But many of them fall into presumptuous faith—thinking that now is the time to start a church, open a prayer center, or take up leadership.
While their excitement may be understandable, excitement is not the same as confirmation. Operating outside of God's appointed time opens the door to confusion, burnout, and spiritual chaos. Some even force themselves into church leadership roles, sometimes taking over from previous leaders without clear direction from God. In many cases, this is done not through prayer and confirmation, but through human enthusiasm or family inheritance. Sons and daughters take over ministries simply because it runs in the family, not because God has spoken.
As a result, we have seen churches divide, leadership struggles intensify, and spiritual barrenness increase. These are tragic consequences—not because these individuals were not anointed, but because they acted before their appointed time.
A Real-Life Example of Presumptuous Faith
There is a true story that illustrates how presumptuous thinking can go wrong, even in seemingly spiritual matters. A man in Bible school fell in love with a woman and approached her, saying, “God came to me in a dream and told me you will be my wife, and we’ll do ministry together.” The woman, already married, sarcastically replied, “Let me check with my husband and get back to you.”
This is a glaring example of how personal desire can be mistaken for divine instruction. God does not contradict His Word or break His own moral standards. Such stories are not rare, and they remind us that not every dream or emotion is from God—especially when it violates Scripture.
The Cost of Presumption
We must also acknowledge a hard truth: many once-glorious churches, ministries, and Bible colleges have shut down today. Some closed due to disobedience, yes—but many were never established in God’s timing or plan. If something is not God’s will, we will be forced to sustain it ourselves, and eventually, it will collapse under its own weight.
A great man of God once said, “If it is God’s will, He will provide. But if it is not His will, you will have to provide for yourself.” That statement speaks volumes. The Spirit will never accomplish through flesh what only the Spirit can do.
Final Exhortation: Wait on the Lord
In conclusion, let us not be hasty in stepping into roles, titles, or ministries. Even if you are anointed and called—wait. Wait for God to open the doors, wait for His confirmation, and wait for the Spirit to lead you.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” If God has asked you to wait, then wait. Let us move when He moves.
Presumptuous faith may look spiritual on the surface, but in the end, it will lead us away from the will of God. But faith grounded in obedience, patience, and timing will bear lasting fruit.
God is not in a hurry. And if He has truly called you, He will surely prepare the way—in His time, not yours.
