Even Demons Believe In God

"He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" ~Luke 10:27

Hi Everyone!

I have been taking sometime to pray and think about the post that will summarize why I wanted to do the testimonies, which I hope to do shortly. I have been convicted recently with James 3:1, that says those who teach will be judged more strictly. I have never claimed to be a Bible scholar or to know everything, but with this blog I wanted it to be something where I can share what God has been showing me, and maybe, if I feel like the Lord is leading me, teach on a topic that maybe connects to someone I know who reads this blog. For now, I'll just stick to the basics and what the Lord has shown me to be true.

Going off from that, just a few weeks ago I started this bible study by Beth Moore at my church, called James, because it's on the book of James (of course). Today's lesson is what got me. Read these verses from James 2:14-19:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

The last verse is what really got me, and is where I want to focus today. Beth Moore talked about the controversy of how no works can prove that someone isn't saved, or in other words, no godly fruit produced in a person proves they are not saved (Matt.7:16). And isn't that what really separates us from anyone who isn't saved? Godly fruit that is produced by the Spirit? The Holy Spirit. All other fruits are bad because they're not from God (Galatians 5:16-26). So when we look at the way that we live, and see that we are not possessing this fruit, we need to ask ourselves "what is going on?" Are we just believing that God exists and sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die for us? That's good, but look at James 2:19. Even demons believe that! Isn't that humbling, considering the fact that I, and I am sure you have, wondered if that really did happen? And demons even believe it! It doesn't mean they're not scared of the power of Christ that can save all of humanity, but it is something they willingly did not appreciate to be God's enemies now.

I think (remember this is my thought) what makes a world of difference between the Christians who say they believe AND the demons who believe from Christians who say they believe AND have works to back up their claim, is the simple fact of love and appreciation for God. That love compels those who are truly saved to do his work. Look back at the passage. Yes, it is good that we believe in God. That is the very beginning of our relationship with him. Thing is at the beginning of any relationship, I think you have to be attracted and compelled to want to pursue the person who have just met. If you don't exercise communication or time with them, the whole relationship you had was not a relationship, but more of an acquaintance type deal. That is not to say that new Christians have this kind of relationship with God, but what I am saying is that when we are saved, truly believing and appreciating the truth of God's gift to us through Jesus Christ, we are compelled by love for him to do the works he has for us. We are not going to let our relationship fall at the wayside. It's going to be our top priority (Matt. 6:33).

Today, whether or not you are in the Bible study, I think we need to consider the fruits that we bare, and the stories we have of what God has done in our lives. I'm not telling you to show me evidence, I'm telling you to recognize what kind of relationship you have with our Maker. Is he the One person who compels you in your life? If so, his spirit will lead you. Just ask and trust in him. If he not the One in your life who compels, pray to him. Ask him to show you where you are with him. Are you saved? Are you just believing lies from the enemies? Let God love you through the gift of salvation. Love him back by being open to be obedient to him. That way, you can start to see the fruit of the Spirit being produced and you won't just be a "believer" like the demons. You'll be the image of Christ doing great works for him. (Romans 8:29; 2 Tim. 2:21)