Beware Of Dogs

The bible tells us to beware of dogs. It is very interesting to know that such is in the bible. 'Beware of dogs'. What an instruction! What a warning! But this is not about dogs as par animals, it is used as a metaphor to describe certain people we are to be careful of, especially in the church. The purpose of this article is not just to help you to avoid these dogs, but more especially to instruct you not to become one of them.

Apostle Paul wrote, 'Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!' (Philippians 3:2). The disturbing thing is that Paul did not use these strong terms to describe some unbelievers but some people who claim to be on the side of Jesus. Paul was using the word 'dog' as a symbol of false teachers who want to prey on other Christians (particularly those teaching that circumcision was required for salvation).

The whole chapter 3 of Philippians was talking about these people that Paul referred to as dogs. Verse 19 presents their characteristics even clearer: 'Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.' Their God is their belly. When they talk about preaching or Jesus, it is just about what they will get. Their motivation is what they can gain, what they can exploit from people. Their God is their belly, and they are simply after earthly things, and not the things that please God.

Some preachers started very well, but gradually became dogs who are after nothing else but their pockets and these earthly things. 1 Timothy 6:5 Paul provides another vivid description of these people, 'Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.' They make it seem like godliness is about what one gets. From such the bible says, 'withdraw yourself'. Their God is their belly.

Beware of dogs! Be careful of building your faith around the wrong foundation. Paul continued to say, 'And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith'. He was determined not to have his own righteousness, his own philosophy, his own tradition, his own ways, but that which proceeds from Christ. 'Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ' (Colossians 2:8, 9)

Learn to examine yourself from time to time. Examine your motives. Watch your steps. Be careful of what you're tending to, especially in the name of God. 'Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin' (Hebrews 3:12, 13). Apostle Peter also warned, 'You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ' (2 Peter 3:17, 18).

Finally, Jesus said: 'Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.' (Revelation 22:12-15) Beware of dogs! Don't become one, don't mingle with them, don't listen to them.