091206AM
BEWARE OF DEMON FAITH
It may shock you, but God’s Word testifies that demons have faith! What do they believe? If you analyzed all the times that the Gospels capture demon’s responses you would find that:
Demons completely believe in the reality of God—but they are unrepentant and thus LOST! They have no doubts. They have seen the Lord, seen His Throne, know all about the spiritual world, and have met Jesus Christ personally. Demons could never be classified as either atheists or agnostics. They had an accurate faith in God intellectually, in their minds. You can believe all the correct facts and not be saved.
Demons completely believe in Deity of—but they are unrepentant and thus LOST! Demons trembled in Christ’s presence while He walked the Earth. They have no doubts about who He really is. Often we hear the demons publicly stating to Jesus, “I know who You are” (Mark 3:11-12, 5:7). Demons had an emotional response to their faith, they feared, shuddered, and trembled.
Demons completely believe in the Supreme Power Christ held over their destiny—but they are unrepentant and thus LOST!! They even would plead for some leniency, or mercy from Jesus Christ as the ultimate Judge who held their eternal destiny in His Hands (Mark 5:1–13). Demons had a firm intellectual faith.
Demons completely believed in Hell and the horror of eternal punishment—but they are unrepentant and thus LOST! They knew and testified to people that they believed in the existence of a place of punishment, and knew that they were headed towards torment (Mark 5:7), and said that they didn’t want to go there “before the time” (Matthew 8:39). Demons had a firm emotional faith.
Demons completely believe in submission to God’s Word—but they are unrepentant and thus LOST! They never expressed doubt that His Word was true, and they usually instantly obeyed, though a few did one final shake of their victim, or convulsion just to show their malignant hearts. So as James repeats, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 2:19, NIV). Believing to the point of fear and trembling does not save. Only a life-changing faith, produced by God within, can save.
Now we need to apply this sermon James has just preached to our lives today. First, an intellectual agreement or assent doesn’t save us. That is James’ point—intellectual belief is present in demons.
Second, an emotional response, coupled with an intellectual response is also not sufficient. Demons had regular emotional responses to their faith in Christ as Creator, as Omnipotent Ruler, and as the Ultimate Judge. None of those intellectual and emotional responses prompted by their faith were sufficient.
Saving Faith is faith that is real, faith that has power, and it is a repentant faith that results in a changed life.
BE SURE TODAY