Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world

 

Thought for the Week

 

2 Timothy 4:10-- "Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world....."

 

This is indeed a sad statement. Demas was once a faithful fellow laborer with Paul (Philemon 24) but has now forsaken Paul. For whatever reason(s) the tug of the world at his heart was such that he could not resist it. The problem of worldliness was great enough in the early days of the church that it prompted John to issue a warning not to love the world or the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17). Paul understood how easy it would be to fall prey to the world (1 Corinthians 9:27).

 

Worldliness has been defined as things or actions that are worldly, of or pertaining to the world as opposed to God. John defines it as "lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life" (1 John 2:16). One very simple definition says that worldliness is anything that separates us from God. It consists of doing the things that afford success, comfort or pleasure in this life regardless of the effect  these things have on our spiritual growth and hope of eternal life.

 

Worldliness has claimed many men and women through an inordinate desire for success, money or material things causing them to neglect the salvation of their souls (Luke 12:15; Matthew 6:24; Heb. 2:1-3). It is the field of entertainment, amusement and recreation that worldliness has fastened its deadly tentacles upon many people. Some spend so much money and time satisfying their craving in this area of their life that they have little or no money and time for Christ and his church (Matt. 6:33; Matt. 6:19-21; Col. 3:1-2;).

 

And lest we forget worldliness can enter our lives through evil associates (1 Cor. 15:33).  We should endeavor to ever avoid "unequal yoking" which puts us into positions where we will be tempted to compromise our convictions (2 Cor. 6:14). In the close and intimate relationships of this life, the child of God should seek association with like servants of God  that they might help and encourage each other in the service of God. We must guard our hearts diligently lest we follow the example of Demas (Proverbs 4:23; Luke 21:34).

 

Charles Hicks