Philippians 3:2 "Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.."

Beware of the dogs.... Psalm 59:5b-6  " .. Awake to punish the nations; Do not be gracious to any who are treacherous in iniquity. They return at evening, they howl like a dog."  And 22:16 " For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet." Verse 20 " Deliver my soul from the sword, my only life from the power of the dog."  The "dogs" that we need to be aware of include those who are actively violent in their hatred of God and His people. But it goes beyond that.  The hebrew word used for treacherous is "aven" and meaning to pant ( or exert oneself) in vain, to come to naught or nothingness..trouble, vanity, wickedness, idolatry, mischief, sorrow.   Paul is warning the believers to take heed of those who surround us, who overpower us, and who lead us into nothingness.

Who are the "dogs" of this generation? Who pressures us into sinful living, into trouble and mischief, or into violence and sorrow?   We can easily point our fingers at those who are recruiting or "radicalizing" young people into Isis or gangs or whatever.   They would most definitely fit into this category.  But, closer to home, who surrounds us, invades our homes, our churches, or our families and causes us to step out of the worthy walk?  A television show?  A sports figure?  A web site? Beware! Do we exert ourselves for nothing-ness?  Running after things that don't even matter.  We need to beware.

Beware of evil workers... II Corinthians 11:13 " For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ."  Paul says that these people want to be regarded in the same manner as him.  They are arrogant and boasting.  They are like Satan, who disguises himself as an angel of light.  They are his servants, not God's.  We need to beware of those among us,  who call themselves believers, but who are not genuine, sincere, and blameless... those not walking in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  This is not judging them, but it is being discerning about whose example we want to follow.

Beware of the "false circumcision" -  the word used here for circumcision is " katatome" meaning to cut; a cutting down or off; mutilation.   Paul contrasts this in verse 3 ".. for we are the true circumcision" and this word is " peritome"  to cut around, to circumcise; the condition of the people.  Paul goes on to say, " .. who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh..."  

We need to see from this comparison that the false circumcision  are those who  put all of their confidence in the flesh, which is really a mutilation; and the  true circumcision, are those who have a spiritual cutting away of the sinful heart and place their confidence in Christ alone.  Beware, then, of those who are putting their confidence in their flesh.. in their position, their education, their accomplishments, their talents, their riches, or their knowledge.  They will not lead us in a life of walking worthily with Christ.

Truth - Working out our salvation with fear and trembling includes careful introspection, looking within ourselves, our attitudes, and our love for Christ, but it also includes careful extro-spection, looking around us and being aware of the dogs, the deceitful, and the self-righteous.  Again, we are not to judge, that is the Lord's job!  But, we are to "beware" lest we follow them right into the pit.

Father in Heaven, we rejoice in You!  You have loved us with an everlasting love and have promised to never leave us or forsake us.  You have revealed Yourself to us in glory and wonder, that You the transcendent One, should come to us.. well it is beyond our imaginations or greatest thoughts.  Thank you for such a great salvation!  Help us Father to walk in the Light always.  Keep our minds stayed on You.  Keep our hearts in Your own love and grace. To You we give all our devotion. Amen.