Articles
Why Demas Forsook Paul
In the scriptures there are many major characters that solicit our undivided attention for their personalities, behavior and relationships. There are also various minor characters we simply do not know much about in terms of their background and other things. Yet, what the scriptures tell us about them is often just as important as what we learn about the major characters. One such minor character is Demas. We do not know a lot about Demas albeit he was probably a gentile who became a Christian at some point in his life and he accompanied the Apostle Paul on several of his preaching journeys.
We first learn of Demas in Colossians 4:14 where he is named alongside Luke, the author of the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. As far as we know Demas is serving faithfully alongside Luke, Paul and others in spreading the gospel. We read of him again in Philemon 1:24 where Paul sends greetings on his behalf as well as many others to Philemon, their brother in Christ. The final time we read of him is in 2 Timothy 4:10 and on this occasion Paul has nothing but negative comments to make about him. Paul informs us and Timothy, that Demas decided to take off because “he loved the present world.” I’m not sure if that at this point in his life, there would be words more sorrowful for Paul to make than these.
Paul was always looking out for the souls of his brethren with so much effort and care (cf. 2 Cor. 11:28), so I can imagine he must have tried to encourage Demas on several occasions. Nevertheless, Demas made his decision. He chose to forsake Paul and the ministry because his love for the world exceeded his love for God and His word. There are Christians that forsake their brethren and God for many reasons and in more ways than one it can be stated that they simply loved the world more than they loved God. After all, if I choose to neglect my relationship with Jesus there is only one other place I can turn to: The world and what it offers.Scriptures are dominated with plenty of verses that warn against the influence of the world. Perhaps none stand out more so than 1 Jn. 2:15: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
The moment Demas began to think that the world was an alternative, he was giving the devil an opportunity. Demas’ love for God had faded and his love for the world grew to the point he decided to go back to sin and darkness. The love of the Father was not in Him. That statement should put us all on our toes knowing that if we forsake our brethren we forsake God. And if we forsake God we condemn ourselves to the eternal destruction that awaits in Hell.
If we underestimate the influence of the world we are one step closer to falling back to the pits of sin. On the reverse end of that, if we think too highly of ourselves to the point we think we can never fall (cf. 1 Cor. 10:12) we will also stumble upon a rude awakening. Demas, while being a minor character, teaches us a major lesson. We live in a world that is dark and in absolute opposition to God and anything concerned with His truth. Take advantage of every opportunity you can to receive edification and likewise edify as much souls as you can. Take time to pray and read the scriptures and build your spiritual relationship with God. Don’t go down the same road Demas did. Learn from his example and strive to grow closer to God and to your brethren every day.
