"A Demon Kind Of Faith"

The teaching of many denominations, that an individual can be saved simply by “believing” [God does all the work of saving man], can easily be refuted by turning to James 2:19 and looking at the text which states: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble!“

James is stating in the this verse, that if we give mental assent to the fact that there is but one God, we are not any better off than the demons, for they give mental assent to that fact as well (Matthew 4:3,6; cf. 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6). Not only do the demons recognize the fact that there is but one God, they also recognize the fact that Jesus is God’s Son (cf. Matthew 8:29; Mark 1:24,34; Luke 4:33-34,41; Acts 19:15).

James recognizes the fact that this “kind” of faith [mental assent only], is a “dead” faith (James 2:17,20,26). Not only that, but James declares that mere mental assent [faith only] without some display of action (Gal. 5:6; cf. James 2:24; 1 Thessalonians 1:3) is:

(1) Profitless (James 2:14-15); (2) Unable to save (James 2:14); (3) Not visible through observation (James 2:18); (4) Demonic in nature (James 2:19); (5) Barren [not fruitful] (James 2:20); (6) Imperfect (James 2:22); (7) Opposite of the kind of faith Abraham possessed (James 2:21-23); (8) Incapable of justifying (James 2:24).

The question arises, “If faith alone is all that is necessary in order to be saved, why in the world do the demons tremble?” (James 2:19). It’s interesting to note that in Acts 24:25 KJV, after Paul had “reasoned of righteousness, temperance [self-control], and judgment to come," that Felix also “trembled.” Although Felix displayed the same physical distress as the demons did in James 2:19, it was not enough to motivate him to render obedience to “the faith in Christ” that Paul was proclaiming to him (Acts 24:24). Thus, he was no better off than the fallen angels who await God’s judgment (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; cf. Luke 8:26-31). It’s also interesting to note that this kind of “faith only” [mental assent] belief was the kind of faith the chief rulers possessed in John 12:42-43.

They “believed” in Christ, but “did not confess him” [denoting action] — their faith not motivating them to "obey" the Lord’s teaching (John 12:37-43; cf. Hebrews 11:6 [note the phrase, “diligently seek“ – action words]. Thus, their faith was inactive — a “dead” faith — “a demon kind of faith.”

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets