John 7:38-39

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive...

James 2:18-19

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Believe / Faith

This final “relationship” word is by far the most common in all of Scripture. The Great Reformation movement of the 1500’s was founded on the distinct meaning behind the word “faith / belief” (both words translate from one single original Greek word). All believers would do well to examine themselves to see if in fact the faith they have is biblical faith, for the simple reason that James points out that EVEN the demons have a type of faith, but it is not a saving faith.

In using just the above two verses (and their contexts), compare and contrast “demonic” faith from “saving” faith, and focus on how saving faith (belief) is actually a “relationship” concept.

Demonic faith:

Saving Faith:

Faith/Belief – Relationship with Christ: