Beware of Dogs
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision. Philippians 3:2 (NASB)
People will go to great lengths to make others think that an unfriendly guard dog resides within the house. There is the doorbell sound of a German shepherd barking, a huge dog dish at the front door, numerous signs for the door and backyard warning of a possible mauling for those who are up to no good. But how does He warn us of danger? Ellen Fannon (All God’s Children) offers her insight.
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The gate leading to our backyard has a large metal sign that reads “Beware of dogs.” We didn’t hang the sign—it was there when we bought the house. Nevertheless, we left it in place for our two Chihuahuas. Franny and Fritz, weighing five and nine pounds respectively and unable to hold their “lickers,” need all the doggy ego boost they can get.
When the apostle Paul wrote, “beware of dogs” to the Philippians, he wasn’t referring to ferocious canines. Rather, he was warning them about those who lead people astray with incorrect doctrine. In Biblical times, dogs were considered unclean animals, and the Jews applied this word to describe Gentiles. Paul used the dog to describe the Jewish leaders trying to corrupt new believers.
Scripture is full of warnings to be on the lookout for false teachers. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15, NASB). If there are so many admonitions to be on our guard against deceptive teachers, God must have felt we needed repeated warnings.
It is easy to be misled by charismatic teachers who preach messages that sound good—messages I want to hear—particularly if I don’t know the Bible. “For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their own ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:3, NASB).
Sometimes falsehoods are so subtle, they are easy to sneak in along with sound theology. I need to know the Scripture and to pray for the Holy Spirit to give me discernment in its interpretation. Then I can be on guard against unbiblical doctrine and speak up if preachers or teachers are presenting something other than the Truth—just like the sign in the backyard says.
Lord, open my eyes to Your Truth and give me Your wisdom and discernment. AMEN.