INTRODUCTION

1. In Philippians 3:2, the apostle Paul gave a warning that is common today: Beware of the dogs.

   1. In Paul's time, dogs often posed a threat of physical harm toward people.

   2. Likewise today, some dogs are so dangerous that their owners are compelled to post signs that warn, "Beware of dog."

2. Using the figure of dogs, Paul's words warn of a danger that is far worse than that of physical harm.  He warns of a danger to our souls.

   1. To fully appreciate Paul's meaning, we need to understand some timely context for his warning.  The point is not to disparage dogs, but it is to understand the true image intended by this figure.

   2. Therefore, let us consider this context and identify the "dogs" that threaten us today.

       

SCRIPTURE'S LOW VIEW OF DOGS

1. The natural habits and behaviors of dogs are generally unclean.

   1. For example, consider the habit that is recognized in Proverbs 26:11, which says, "Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly."

   2. The uncleanness of dogs and their behaviors is even categorized with that of swine in the Scriptures (Lev. 11:7, 27; Isa. 66:3; 2Pet. 2:22).

   3. Throughout ancient times, the traditional role of dogs was that of scavenger.

      1. Scavengers are creatures that eat decaying flesh.  Under the Law of Moses, scavengers were considered unclean, and most of the unclean animals were scavengers (Lev. 11).

      2. In ancient times, packs of wild dogs came into villages and cities at night to eat the refuse that was left in the streets and alleys during the day.  Their service was valuable for disposing of waste, but their presence created danger in the streets at night.

      3. Certainly, there were some domesticated dogs among the Gentiles (see Matt. 15:27 for example), but most dogs were wild scavengers.

2. These facts about dogs are reflected many times in the Old Testament.

   1. Concerning the diet of the Israelites, God said, "You shall be holy men to Me, therefore you shall not eat any flesh torn to pieces in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs" (Ex. 22:31).

   2. When the prophet Ahijah pronounced judgment on King Jeroboam, he said in 1Kings 14:11, "Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs will eat.  And he who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat; for the LORD has spoken it."

   3. Similarly, the judgment of King Baasha was given in 1Kings 16:4: "Anyone of Baasha who dies in the city the dogs will eat, and anyone of his who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat."

   4. It was prophesied that the dogs would lick the blood of King Ahab, eat the flesh of Jezebel, and eat the family members of Ahab who died in the city (1Ki. 21:19-24).  All of these prophecies were fulfilled (1Ki. 22:38; 2Ki. 9:10, 36).

   5. In Psalm 68:23, David speaks of God defeating His enemies, saying, "The tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies."

   6. Jeremiah prophesied of Judah's judgment saying that the dogs would drag them away (Jer. 15:3).

   7. Dogs were also used as derogatory figures for wicked people.

      1. The reputation of dogs was such that the term "dog" was used to describe a male cult prostitute (Deut. 23:18).

      2. In the great prophecy of Christ's suffering on the cross, those who crucified the Lord are described as dogs surrounding Him (Ps. 22:16).

      3. In Isaiah 56:10-11, the prophet describes Judah's wicked leaders and dumb and greedy dogs.

3. Even the Lord referred to the base nature and behavior of dogs.

   1. In Matthew 7:6, He said, "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

   2. When a Canaanite woman asked Him to heal her daughter, He said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs" (Matt. 15:26).

   3. When the Lord told the story of the rich man and Lazarus, He said of Lazarus that "even the dogs were coming and licking his sores" (Luke 16:21).

       

PAUL'S WARNING ABOUT THE DOGS

1. Paul used the figure of dogs to represent the enemies of Christ.

   1. Again, this warning comes in Philippians 3:2, which says, "Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision..."

   2. Let us consider the context of Philippians 3, which gives the figurative meaning of "dogs" as the enemies of Christ.

      1. Verses 3-16 are given as a contrast to the "false circumcision" of verse 2.

         1. Paul and the others who were the "true circumcision" (v. 3) did not put confidence in the flesh (i.e. keeping the Law), but instead they trusted in Christ.

         2. Paul in particular might have trusted in the flesh like the false circumcision, but instead he counted those things "as loss for the sake of Christ" (v. 7).

         3. Through Christ, he pressed on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God (v. 14).

      2. In verse 17, Paul offered himself as a leader to be imitated, saying, "Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us."

      3. In contrast, he turns us away from those who do not walk according to this pattern.  These are the "dogs," and they are further described in verses 18-19:

         ¹⁸For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

2. We must still beware of the dogs today.

   1. Today's dogs are the modern enemies of the cross of Christ, and they pose a great threat to Christians and others.

      1. The dogs reject the cross of Christ by rejecting His message.  They include anyone who attempts to present a different gospel (which is really not another -- Gal. 1:6-9) by altering any part of the true message of Christ.

      2. For Christians, the dogs attempt to captivate and deceive them with the teachings of men and draw them away from the purity of the gospel (2Cor. 11:3; Col. 2:8).

      3. For those who are not Christians, the dogs likewise attempt to deceive them with false teachings and prevent them from receiving the unadulterated truth of the gospel.

   2. The dogs can be identified according to the descriptions of Philippians 3:19.

      1. Their god is their appetite.

         1. In other words, they serve themselves by indulging their own lusts.

         2. This is evident in self-serving, carnal religion and worship that is designed to entertain and satisfy man rather than to conform to God's will (Matt. 7:21-23).

      2. Their glory is in their shame.

         1. They take pride and boast of that which is truly shameful in God's sight.  Isaiah spoke of such people when he wrote, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" (Isa. 5:20).

         2. Today's dogs glory in their acceptance of fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, and others who rebel against God.

      3. They set their minds on earthly things.

         1. Christians are to set their minds on heavenly things (Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:2).  The dogs do exactly the opposite, setting their minds only on earthly things.

         2. The Lord said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21).  The treasures and hearts of the dogs are on earth, not in heaven.

   3. The destiny of today's dogs is the same as it was for the dogs of Paul's day: destruction.

      1. All the enemies of God have been or will be defeated.  Today's dogs are no different.

      2. According to Revelation 22:14-15, the dogs will be excluded from the city of God and the tree of life.  Their opposition to God will be punished eternally.

          

CONCLUSION

1. Sadly, the world is filled with "dogs," and we must be aware of the dangers they pose.

2. Therefore, recognize the dogs according to the Scriptures, and beware of them.