HAVING LOVED THIS PRESENT WORLD
FRIDAY 28
“For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica–Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.”
2 Timothy 4:10 (NKJV)
READ: 2 Timothy 4:1-18
One of the things that a believer should allow God to wean him of is his affection or love for the world or the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17). If a believer’s love or affection for the world or things of the world is not totally weaned, the tendency would be there that the person could go back into the world because of those things which he had affection for.
What is weaning?
• It is to be freed from a usually unwholesome habit or interest.
• It also means to be detached from a source of dependence.
If anything in the world is still your source of dependence, you would always want to go back to it when you seem to be facing challenges or difficulties in your Christian journey.
One of the first things which God usually wants to take, after being born-again, is the affection or love of a believer. If your affection or love which is part of emotion, in your soul, is yet to be fully surrendered to God, you would always be tempted to go back into the world and get involved in those things you
forsook when you get saved or born-again. Your affection for the world and the things of the world should be completely weaned to avoid being lured back into the world (1 John 2:15-17).
Demas mentioned in our text was a spiritual son or protege of Apostle Paul. He was already in the ministry apprenticeship under Paul. Now, what could have made him leave or forsake Paul and went back to the world or secular work? It shows that the things of the world are still appealing to him.
Demas probably considered being in the ministry work is too sacrificial, that the price to be paid is too much or great.
He probably thinks that he deserves a pleasurable life. He probably desires to have what he has seen some of his mates or contemporaries had, he did want to have similar material things. Let your love for the things of the world died (1 John 2:15-17).
Note: It does not mean that you would live in abject poverty all your days on earth if you are fully in the ministry work. No, God is not a user but a rewarder of those who diligently seek and serve Him (Hebrews 11:6). If you work for God, you equally would be rewarded. It is only that payday might not be after a week or thirty days but it surely would come. God rewards but it is according to His own terms–His own payment patterns. This is why comparing yourself with another person in the ministry work is not a wise thing to do (2 Corinthians 10:12).
• Are you considering leaving the work you are assigned to do because of the mundane–the ephemeral?
• Are you tired of the work and you are feeling like quitting?
If the answer to any of these questions in your life is Yes, I will like to admonish you not to quit.
If you needed counsel and help, reach out to whoever around you that your heart is stirred to talk to on the matter.
Read some of our books on ministry work, a number of such things are dealt with in the books. Also, pray that God will encourage you and give you fervour to continue in the work.
No matter the situation, I enjoin you, do not quit from doing the work, that is, the assignment given to you.
You will not fail in Jesus’ name. Peace.
REFLECT
• Are you considering walking away from something God assigned you to do, because of the cost involved?
• If you are weary in the work, who can you reach out to for counsel and encouragement?
The August 2026 Edification Daily Devotional is here. It features 31 days of edifying messages to help you in your walk with God this month.
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