The Faith of Demons

You believe that God is one; you do well. 

Even the demons believe—and shudder! 

(James 2:19)

In referring to the imperative nature of having an active faith, the writer of the book of Hebrews admonishes us: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. … By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. … And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6). What he writes here reminds us of Solomon’s foundation to knowledge which leads us to wisdom and instruction: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

But when we use the word “faith” we’re not just saying that we believe a certain set of facts without them effecting change in us. If we did, then we would be manifesting the faith of demons, who believe in God’s existence and shudder, but this realization or concession doesn’t effect change in them.

Consider what William Barclay wrote about this demon-like faith: “There is belief which is purely intellectual. For instance, I believe that the square on the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle equals the sum of the squares on the other two sides; and if I had to, I could prove it—but it makes no difference to my life and living. I accept it, but it has no effect upon me. … What James is arguing against is the … acceptance of a fact without allowing it to have any influence upon life” (The Letters of James and Peter, 73).

Is it any wonder, then, that the first word of the gospel is “repent”? The apostle Peter was asked “What shall we do?” after his audience had heard that they crucified Jesus who is Lord and Christ. Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37–38). Again, the first thing he said to them was repent. Those with a demon-like faith would have simply walked away; but “those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).

Repentance is not merely accepting the need to change our minds, but it is a call from God for us to conform to his will. Allowing the Bible to serve as its own commentary, we read Paul’s definition of what repentance is: “that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth” (Ephesians 4:22–24).

What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can that faith save him? And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled;” and yet you did not give them the things the body needs, what good is it? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself (James 2:14–17).

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say? Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like. He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock. But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great” (Luke 6:46–49).

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1–2).