They are some of the more depressing words in Scripture. “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me” (2 Tim. 4:10).

It wasn’t always that way. Demas was doing great for a while. He was traveling with the ministry elites of the apostolic age; Luke, Aristarchus, and the apostle Paul (Col. 4:14, Philem. 24). For a time, he was even considered a “fellow worker” (Philem. 24). However, a mere five years later, and he has bolted the faith. Paul uses a word in 2 Timothy 4:10 (translated, “has deserted”) which depicts abandonment and apostasy; departing from the faith. Demas appeared to be regenerate and a mature Christian. But, as time and truth go hand-in-hand, his faith proved to be false.

Apostasy is the ultimate soul-insanity. Hell is preferred over heaven. Sin satisfies more than the Savior. The world’s rubbish is preferred over heaven’s King. Nothing is worse than that highest act of spiritual treason. I pray that, by God’s grace, it never happens to me.

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