“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2, KJV)
I suppose I’m curious by nature. I always want to know more than a story tells — the background, the little details that fill in the basic story. This is especially true of some we meet within the pages of Scripture. Sometimes a person will briefly appear for just a few short moments, a few verses, and then we find nothing further about them. Curiosity makes me want to learn the rest of their story.
Let me tell you about a friend of the apostle Paul, a man named Demas. But I must warn you, his story offers few details.
A CHANGE OF AFFECTION
We know very little about Demas. His age, occupation, place of birth or other details are never revealed. We don’t know when he met Paul or how he became part of the ministry team. He is only mentioned three times. In Colossians and Philemon Paul describes him as a fellow laborer in the gospel. But the third brief mention is different. It tells us that Demas is gone. He abandoned Paul while he sat in a Roman prison and needed his friend most.
“For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica . . .” (II Timothy 4:10, NKJV)
What happened? Did Demas lose his passion for the work of God? Did he grow tired of the many sacrifices they made and hardships they faced to preach the gospel? Was he afraid he might end up in prison like Paul? Or did he choose comfort over conviction? The Bible does not tell us what triggered Demas’s decision to forsake not only his friends and fellow workers but his God. How did he start so strong and yet become a deserter?
First John 2:15 warns, “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (NKJV). Somehow Demas grew careless in where he placed his affection. The focus of his love changed, and he lost sight of the eternal. The voices of the world drowned out the voice of God, and he was lured by the things of this present world. I wonder if Demas ever regretted that decision to walk away. Did he ever find his way back to God? We are not told.
In thinking about the choices Demas made, the words of Jesus come to mind.
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NKJV)
STAY STRONG
Demas started strong, but he allowed other things to creep into his life. That’s why it is important that we stay on guard. We must be careful that Demas’s story does not become our story. Here are some ways to deepen our walk with the Lord.
Life Lessons to Stay Strong:
- Set your affections on things eternal. (Colossians 3:2)
- Guard your heart against worldliness. (Titus 2:12, Matthew 6:19-20)
- Do not be lured by materialism and possessions. (Luke 12:15)
- Expect persecution and difficulties. (II Timothy 3:12, I Peter 4:12-14)
- Walk in the power of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-17)
- Love God’s house. (I Chronicles 29:3, Hebrews 10:25)
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
Am I loving the right things? Have I set my affections on things above, or do I find myself pulled by what the world offers? What steps am I taking to stay strong in my walk with the Lord?
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
