Demas: The Man Who Loved The World More Than Christ

Demas is that kind of character who starts well, very close with the gospel of grace, but ends up in the world. He is a typical apostate character of the New Testament we must study to avoid this tendency.

“Apostasy, from the Greek word apostasia, means “a defiance of an established system or authority; a rebellion; an abandonment or breach of faith.” In the first-century world, apostasy was a technical term for political revolt or defection. Just like in the first century, spiritual apostasy threatens the Body of Christ today.”

– Got Questions

Everything on the outside shows he is a believer but he is not. On the surface, you might think he is a strong believer in Christ who will die for the cause of Christ only to turn around and embrace the world.

What can we learn from him to live well? Two things are important in Demas’ life…

#1. He Started Well

Demas started well as Paul’s ministry team member on the field. When Paul wrote the letter to Colosse, Demas was there with him.

Paul mentioned Demas alongside Luke in Colossians 4:14 (NKJV).

“Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.”

In Philemon 1:23‭-‬24 NKJV, Paul considered him as a fellow labourer.

“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.”

Whether false or true believers, we all seemingly start very well as followers of Jesus Christ working in a local church. People see us and admire our courage to follow Christ and learn from our example. In Matthew 7 when Jesus was concluding His sermon on the mount, he spoke of both the wise and foolish people as hearing the word of grace. They both appear as true believers.

#2. He Succeeded the World

Demas started very well but ended very badly. Appearing as a believer doesn’t make you one. Apostates start very well, even get very close to Christ, but fall away. Why? Because they are not of us as 1 John states. If they are of us, they would not have gone away.

Demas forsook the faith and followed the world. Paul reported about him to Timothy in II Timothy 4:9‭-‬11 (NKJV) that,

“Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.”

What may have occasioned Demas’ desertion from the faith of Christ and the Apostle Paul?

1. Loneliness

“Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me”

The first reason that may have contributed to Demas’ departure is loneliness. Obviously it was left with only Paul, Luke and Demas. I am sure Demas assessed the weight of the responsibility thrust upon him and concluded that he was not cut out for the faith and ministry.

Didn’t Demas know that following Christ means being neglected and persecuted by the culture? Didn’t he know that as a leader being alone is part of the Job Description? Oh, did he forget that the Holy Spirit is in him and Jesus said He will not leave nor forsake His disciples? Being alone as disciples sometimes must not enter our heart and be processed as loneliness. Loneliness may have driven him out.

2. Worldliness

“having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia”

The second possible reason why Demas left Paul was that of worldliness. What about worldliness? Was it love of money, uncontrolled pleasure, personal success, popular fame, or chasing women? Demas left because he didn’t like what he was consuming in Christ. He didn’t like the way of the Master. In fact, leaving for Thessalonica meant that he was going to seek worldly ‘greener pastures’ in the seaport city.

The Bible speaks against worldliness. 1 John 2:15-17 admonishes us not to love the world or the things in it. If we do so, the love of the Father is not in us. James 4:4 says that friendship with the world is enmity against God. The world is passing away and there is nothing it offers to help on our journey to eternity.

When we study characters like Demas, they must teach us to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The more we look to Jesus intently, the more the world pales away from our lives and we enjoy the goodness of the Lord inspite of pressures to go back to the world.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) says, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

May Christ keep us focused unto Himself until He returns.

What have you learnt from Demas? Share with us.