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| A scary demon. Have you ever acted like this guy? |
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
-- James 2:18-20 NLTThe Analysis
If I were to ask you What does the Bible categorize as "demonic"? what sins would top your list? Actually no, what sins would make it into your list? Homosexuality? Fornication? Lying? How about including everything from Revelation 21:8? We normally think of vile sins and witchcraft as demonic. But James has a different entry into the list.
Don't get me wrong, those things are demonic and perverse. But James includes this one seemingly innocuous trait. This little thing that is normally treated as a minor mistake in his list of demonic activity. This terrible thing is to have faith in God, but not have good works to back them up.
Is that really demonic? Well, James says that its what the demons do. By definition, that is demonic. Now, is James implementing a little hyperbole? How can he know that the demons believe and tremble? Perhaps he is using extreme language to get your attention, did it work?
The Application
Live out your faith! James has gone to some extreme lengths to show that faith without works is synonymous with death. The Christian should be living with a new breath of life. We should live every day with that in the foreground of our minds. We should live with intent--not just be content to live--and remove those demonic behaviors from our character.
More Reading
- Its Part of the Job -- Work
- The Cure for Insecurity -- Faith
- The Veggie of Choice for Tasteless People
- It has a Sweet Grill & Scatters When the Lights Turn On -- Old Self
- Barking Up the Wrong Tree -- Holiness
- His Grapes Become Good Wine
- A Brighter Tomorrow
- Not Doing Enough
- Confused?
- Ignorance is No Excuse