4 Unexpected Reasons Why Demons Have Greater Faith Than Many Churchgoers

I was recently reflecting on a conversation that took place a few years ago. A young man approached me to receive some badly-needed words of counsel. As I listened to some of his underlying struggles, it was clear that he really didn't have an intimate relationship with Jesus.

After dialoging for a while, I was compelled to ask where he stood in terms of his faith. He anxiously shifted in his seat and mumbled something along the lines of the following: "I know about Jesus and what He did on the cross. I believe the Bible has a lot of truth in it. What more is there to say?"

Although I didn't know him all that well prior to this conversation, I had observed his struggles from a distance. It would have been hard to miss the sporadic church attendance and his continual disengagement during the times of worship. His participation in the things of God was, at best, marginal. Although claiming to be Christian, darkness was all over him.

Under the unction of the Spirit, I asked him once again whether he truly had faith in God. Although insisting that he did, I could hear the hesitation in his voice. It was clear that he was struggling. Somehow I wanted to enable him to move out of this place of difficulty and trouble, but he wasn't going to do so if he didn't see where he stood with God.

If I hoped to get somewhere with him, I knew I would have to shock him. I felt like he needed to be overwhelmed with the futility of his present position. Yet, in order to do this, I would have to take a different approach. So I felt inclined to say something I had never uttered before.

I looked him and said, "I am convinced that the demons have greater faith than you!"

As you know, that's not the kind of statement people like to hear. Just as soon as these words tumbled from my mouth, I could see the lines on his face tighten. It was obvious that he recoiled at my observation. I honestly expected as much.

To move this strategy further, I knew I was going to have to clarify my point. Though it was hard to receive, I explained that Satan and his minions are more convinced of Jesus' identity and role than many churchgoers. This is an unpleasant truth that needs to be confronted from time to time.

Come on, how dynamic is one's faith, if the faith of demons is actually greater?

1. Demons Believe Jesus Is The Son Of God

I pointed out that early in the gospels, even before the disciples were convinced of His messianic role, demons publicly declared that Jesus was the Son of God. Scripture reveals the following:

"Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, 'You are the Son of God'" (Mark 3:11).

While many so-called "followers" struggle with who Jesus is, evil spirits are already firmly convinced of His status and position before the Father. They have no doubt that Jesus is truly the Son of God. It concerns me when the demons might be more assured of Jesus' role than we are.

2. Demons Read And Quote The Bible

I continued with this crazy assertion; suggesting that Satan and the hordes of hell actually know the Bible. This may seem unbelievable, but the forces of darkness are thoroughly convinced that scripture is true. In one disturbing example, Satan actually quotes from Psalm 91:11-12 in an attempt to undermine Jesus.

"The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down from here. For it is written:' ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone'" (Luke 4:9-11).

While unwilling to submit to the admonition and guidance of the Bible, demons have absolutely no qualms about its truth. They understand that every word written in its pages will be brought to bear upon creation. It is only a matter of time before every "jot and tittle" is fulfilled. That is more than can be said about backslidden churchgoers. They not only struggle with reading the Bible, they are also conflicted about what it is saying. There is something wrong when "Christians" neither know, nor value what God is saying.

3. Demons Believe In The Final Judgment

I went on to explain to this young man that demons are also convinced about God's judgment and establishment of righteousness in the earth. Even prior to Jesus' death and resurrection, evil spirits were already persuaded that wickedness was on its last leg. They actually expected to be punished. A few of the demons publicly declared the following to Jesus:

“What do you want with us, Son of God?” the demons shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” (Matthew 8:29)

I've met churchgoers unwilling to accept the reality of the final judgment. While demons believe God will subjugate all evil, some lethargic, pew-sitters aren't so sure. They are expecting appeasement, not eradication.

4. Demons Believe And They Tremble

Finally, I explained that the evil spirits believe in God and have such an awareness of that truth that it elicits an vigorous response. Imagine, their faith in the reality of God actually causes a tangible reaction to take place. The scriptures boldly declare the following:

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder" (James 2:19).

The Apostle James suggests that the demons' faith in God is so intense that it causes "physical manifestations" to erupt. They quiver and shake in the revelation of His glory. That is more than I can say about many churchgoers. Many so-called followers of Jesus claim to believe in God but there is absolutely no manifestation of that reality in their lives.

Understand, that the demons believe in God and the reality of His purposes. They know who Jesus is and exactly what He accomplished on the cross. They believe in scripture, salvation, and the final judgment. They believe in God, but are unwilling to change their allegiance or submit to His wonderful plan.

By the time I was done talking, the young man understood what I was saying. He became quiet and began to tear up. The gravity of my words began to grip him. I offered to pray for him and bring a deeper sense of the presence of God. He, of course, agreed.

Like this young man, all of us need to search our hearts and determine whether our faith is greater than the faith of demons. I know that it's easy to dismiss all of this, but if you were to lay out where you stand today, what would we find?

Is your faith truly greater?