DUMPED BY DEMAS: IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT

“For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica…” ~ II Timothy 4:10

REFERENCE:

II Timothy 4:5-11

Demas was on Apostle Paul’s missionary team both as a friend and a co-laborer (Philem 1:24). They must have done so much together for God’s kingdom – traveling, ministering, and sharing meals. However, Paul woke up one day to Demas’ goodbye note on his bedside drawer, “Fed up. Gone to Thessalonica…In search of new things.” This ‘desertion’ stung Paul deep; it came unexpectedly.

Why would anyone want to leave the ministry or tutelage of Apostle Paul? He was an anointed man, full of grace, the word, and power. He was a leader that would inconvenience himself to ensure his followers were not burdened or hindered from receiving the gospel. He once wished God would delist him from heaven’s register if it meant Israel would be saved. Yet, Demas dumped him. Paul must have wondered, “What did I do wrong? Did I offend him? Did I deny him anything or take advantage of him? Etc.” We often deal with such thoughts when friends, associates, staff, or spouses leave, but be reminded that the person is responsible for their actions. Do not take on unnecessary blame or guilt; it is not your fault. People will be people.

Demas (means ‘popular’) must have been a man about town who loved accolades from his fans and his teeming followers on social media. He saw life with Paul as too strict and demanding, so the world eventually pulled him. His leaving had nothing to do with Paul, so Paul would do well not to take it personally. Sometimes people leave because of their ambition, disloyalty, character flaw, lack of commitment, or a desire to pursue their own dreams. As painful as their departure may be, know that God is over all and loves both you and them. Don’t be too hard on yourself, beating yourself over the head. Paul could have done nothing to keep Demas back; his love for the ‘shiny’ stuff of this world would not let him stay. He valued things more than people, prosperity more than ministry, and convenience more than service.

You may still be reeling from the pain of a home-assistant, staff, friend, fiancé, or spouse that left you, may God heal your heart. You may have a hold on someone’s life for a time, but it is God that binds their heart to you. God is saying, “Let them go. Let guilt go. Stop mourning and blaming yourself. It’s nothing you did. It is not your fault.” Remain in the love of God, and if you stumbled somewhere, ask God for forgiveness, and move on. Jesus was also dumped by His disciples; so, it is not a new thing.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Genesis 13:7-12, Matthew 26:55-56 & II Timothy 4:16

PRAYERS:

Lord, I free myself from every guilt I carry because of close friends, loved ones, or associates that left me on my journey in life. I hand it all over to You, knowing that Your plans for me are good, and You also love the person(s). I release them from the prison of my heart and quit blaming myself. It is not my fault. You have permitted it in your eternal wisdom, and it will all turn out for good. Hence, I speak a word of blessing over all that have left me, in Jesus’ name.