What Is The Danger Of Taking Your Eyes Off Of Jesus? (Part 3)
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
In our previous two articles, we have examined the mistakes made by two of Jesus’ disciples: Peter and Judas. Both men, while they had every reason to have great faith in Christ, took their eyes off of him in moments of weakness.
Peter walked on the water, but then chose to focus more on the storm than the Savior.
Judas was close to Jesus but chose to be closer to his love for money.
In this article, we want to study the sad statement made about another follower of Jesus named Demas who forsook his allegiance to the Lord “having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10).
When Demas Was Faithful.
It is important for us to remember that Demas was a faithful disciple of the Lord as a co-laborer with the apostle Paul. Demas is mentioned three times in the New Testament.
First, he is mentioned alongside other workers in Paul’s letter to the Colossians:
“Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you” (Col. 4:7-14).
It is striking to me that Demas and Luke are mentioned in the same sentence! There is no denying that Demas was a faithful follower of Jesus. Demas appears a second time in Paul’s letter to Philemon:
“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers” (Phil. 23-24).
In both instances, he is referenced in a positive light as a “fellow laborer” with faithful servants of the Lord.
Demas Loves This World.
When Paul mentions him in his second letter to Timothy, Demas is mentioned in a negative context:
“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” (2 Tim. 4:9-10).
Paul was now without the support and presence of several co-laborers including Demas who had been with him. By forsaking Paul, Demas forsook the work and ministry of Paul which was to spread the Gospel of Christ to the world; therefore, Demas forsook his duty in serving the Lord!
Paul gives the reason for Demas leaving: “having loved this present world.” The word “forsaken” means to “leave behind; to depart either intentionally or by neglect.” The phrase “having loved this present world” denotes a heart problem with Demas who loved the world more than his service to his Lord.
The Holy Spirit through the apostle John teaches us not to love this present world:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).
Demas took his eyes off of Jesus and fixed them on the world around him. We must recognize that this present world is going to be destroyed and it is not our home (2 Pet. 3:10-11).
May we learn a lesson from Demas and make sure our heart belongs to God, not the world!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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Thanks for pointing this out about Demas. It's amazing to me that he could be so close to Paul and yet fall away! It's a cautionary tale for all of us. God forbid!