Faith Like Demons

July 29th, 2026
by Lance Waldie

James 2:19-20 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

In Judaism, the foundational passage of Scripture recited by all Jews is the great Shema (Hebrew for “hear”). It is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:4 which says, “Hear O Israel, Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one.” This passage speaks of the uniqueness of Israel’s God. Whereas the pagan nations worshipped their man-made false gods who often contradicted each other or canceled each other out, Israel worshiped the one true God who never changes. Though one God (from the Hebrew plural, Elohim), Yahweh exists eternally as three distinct persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are one in reference to their nature but distinct in reference to their roles. The interesting part about this is that not only does Israel believe in this God, so does Satan along with his demonic host of fallen angels. Hence, James challenges his audience’s faith by saying, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”

Now James is not advocating that the belief of the demons actually equates to saving faith, even though the word for “believe” is the same Greek word translated “faith” and “trust” in the NT, often used for salvation. Demons may “believe that God is one,” but they are in rebellion against His lordship. Yet they still “shudder” in God’s presence, literally trembling in fear. This is James’ point, for although demons believe God is one, and shudder in His presence, just like many in James’ predominantly Jewish audience, this does not mean that they are Christian.

In the Gospels, and in one account in Acts, demons not only believe in the oneness of God and shudder in His presence, they believe Jesus is the holy and unique Son of God. Note:

[Jesus] healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was (Mark 1:34).
Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!” (Mark 3:11).
Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, [Jesus] would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ (Luke 4:41).
And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15).
When confronted by Jesus in Capernaum, a demon asked Him, What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God! (Mark 1:24; cf. Luke 4:34).
Shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” (Mark 5:7).

Food For Thought
What is evident is that demons not only know who Jesus is—the Holy One of God—they know that He will eventually destroy them. They recognize Jesus for who He is, and they even submitted to the authority of His apostles (Luke 10:17). But that is precisely James’ point! Demons know exactly who Jesus is, and they even submit to His commands when He rebukes them. But they fail to submit to Him as Lord and God through obedience to His commands to love God and love one’s neighbor—the “royal law” (2:8), the “law of liberty” (2:12; cf. Matt. 22:34-40). So, only a fool can believe that faith without works is a true, living faith. James calls it dead faith, for it is no better than the knowledge and faith of demons.