Four verses in the Bible bear witness to the truth that God is One. The first is from Moses in Deuteronomy 6:4; the second from Jesus Christ in Mark 12:29; the third from Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:6; and the fourth from James in James 2:19. The fourth witness did not write (as in the KJV) “You believe that there is one God; you do well…” I have two Greek/English lexicons that better translate: “You believe that God is one…”
Pause a moment and consider the difference. The earlier Amplified Version of the New Testament translates the first part of the verse the same exactly. Most versions then state “…the demons also believe, and tremble.” The reason why demons tremble is that the numeral One cannot be divided, and this singularity of God is what leaves them fearful and dismayed.
Deborah the prophetess, in her song of victory, rejoices that “They [the Israelites] fought from heaven; the stars in their courses [orbits] fought against [the defeated invader] Sisera.” (Judges 5:20) The army of Israel aligned themselves with the divinely established heavenly order set in motion by the Creator. The gods of the pagan invaders had no such order, and Divine order prevailed over their attempt to introduce chaos.
Demons work best in chaotic situations and circumstances, which is why nations under recognized laws are difficult to bring down, even when governments and authorities are unwilling to acknowledge Judeo-Christian based values.
Jesus, the “only begotten” Son of God, was so united with his Father in his care of the “sheep” entrusted to him that he could say: “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) We too can enjoy that same unity of care and purpose. In fact, Jesus specifically prayed that we would have the very same unity he had with his Father (John 17:21, 22, 23).
Demons ‘dress themselves’ in unruly people. Not having bodies themselves, they are unable to cause physical damage, which is why terrible crimes occur in lawless societies. In times past, this was in underdeveloped nations, but sadly, it is now also the case in lawless western societies. Jesus warned that offences would come and then added, “But woe unto the one THROUGH WHOM they come.”
There’s not a day that passes in which I do not lift my heart to God in gratitude, thanking my Heavenly Father for revealing to me the primary truth of the First and Greatest Commandment that God is One: “Adonai elohinu, Adonai echud.”
I read Revelation 4:11, and worship God the Creator, and then read Revelation 5:9, and worship Jesus the Redeemer (God “manifest in the flesh” as revealed in the human Jesus, who was born of woman with the Divine nature of his heavenly Father.) “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” Jesus is “The image of the invisible God.” We who have been “born again” share in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
We pray for unity among ourselves, but the only way unity can be achieved is for us to walk as Jesus did with his Father, which was in perfect unity, relationship, fellowship, and purpose. Only as we do will the world believe in Jesus Christ. On seeing this singular unity of purpose, demons will know that they’ve lost the plot completely.