The Demise of Demas

The Demise of Demas

By Pastor Russell Henderson

…Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica….

(2 Timothy 4:10).

There is not much mention in scripture of this man, Demas, except for two other brief references.  In Colossians 4:14 Paul calls Demas a dear friend, and in Philemon 24 he calls Demas a fellow worker.  Now in 2 Timothy we see that Demas has abandoned Paul and the ministry because he “loved this world”.

You must understand that this was not a love for the world as God loves the world in John 3:16.  This was a love for the pleasures and the worldly values of the present age.  In other words Demas backslid.

What caused his fall?  We don’t know.  But there are certainly ways that we can guard against such a fall.  In Genesis Abraham’s nephew, Lot, pitched his tent toward Sodom.  In other words, he continued to move closer and closer to Sodom.  As you know Sodom was known for being a very wicked city, but the more Lot looked towards it, the closer he moved to the city, and the more enticing it became.  Finally Lot ended up living in Sodom.

I believe that this could have been part of Demas’ downfall.  As he travelled with Paul I’m sure there were times where he found himself in shady and wicked places.  Whereas Paul had the strength to withstand the temptation and carry on with his ministry, Demas did not.  The more he saw the wickedness, the more appealing it became to him.

This is an example of someone who followed and even assisted one of the greatest preachers and missionaries that ever lived, but still chose the ways of the world over the ways of God. 

Friends, it is imperative that we live every day clothed in the armor of God.  We have to be protected against the fiery darts of temptation that the enemy tries to send our way.  Jesus said that if anyone loves the world, then the love of the Father is not in him.  Unless Demas had a moment of repentance and turned back to God, he more than likely died outside of the saving grace of God.

Choose today whom you are going to serve for the rest of your days.  If it is God then keep your eyes and your thoughts fixed on God and protect them so that you will not become another victim of loving this world.