Beware of Dogs: Philippians 3:1-3
Beware of Dogs: How to have Joy in a World That Wants to STEAL it.
Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman
The Apostle Paul writes, urging believers to establish their security in the Lord: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1 NKJV). The constant command to rejoice is necessary because the Lord is the source of joy, and He is greater than any circumstance, problem, trial, or pain (Philippians 3:1; Hebrews 2:3). This joy is a fruit of the Spirit that empowers us to overcome not by our strength, but by His (Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 4:16).
The Warning: Beware of Those Who Steal Your Joy
Paul issues a stern caution against those who would corrupt the faith and steal the true joy found in Christ: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!” (Philippians 3:2). Paul refers to those who promote religious deeds and actions but reject Christ as "dogs" (Philippians 3:2). These are the religious unsaved, who oppose the gospel of grace (Psalm 22:16). The message of such "evil workers" is attractive but dangerous, leading believers astray and causing them to focus on things pleasing to themselves rather than on Jesus (Philippians 3:2).
False teachings will steal your joy (Matthew 6:31-34). We must know the Word of God so we can recognize false teachers and teaching, checking the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so (Acts 17:10-11). Anyone proclaiming something not in the written Word of God should be rejected (2 Corinthians 10:17).
The Danger of Works
The warning against "mutilation" is aimed at those who seek to gain salvation or favor through outward rituals, such as circumcision (Philippians 3:2; Genesis 17:9-14). Such religious activity, performed without a heart changed by faith, becomes nothing more than dead works (Romans 2:25-29).
Life does not consist in the abundance of things we possess (Luke 12:15). Likewise, there is nothing you can do to gain salvation or gain favor with God (Titus 3:3-8). It is a dangerous thing to think that righteous deeds give us favor or leverage with God (Ephesians 2:8-10). Salvation is not of works, lest anyone should boast; it is the gift of God through grace (Ephesians 2:9).
The Evidence of True Life in Christ
The true people of God are identified by a profound threefold spiritual reality that demonstrates the inward reality of salvation: “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).
1. Worship God in the Spirit
True spiritual worship is not occupied by ceremonies or elaborate furnishings that appeal to emotion (Philippians 3:3). It is about true worship, entering into the presence of God by faith and pouring out our love, praise, adoration, and respect (John 4:23-24). The true disciple is one who is a Jew inwardly, and whose circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter (Romans 2:28-29).
2. Rejoice in Christ Jesus
Religion leads a person to boast in what they have done (Philippians 3:3). The true disciple has nothing to boast in except in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:17). Jesus is the complete source of our joy and boasting (Philippians 3:1). Everything of human value and true spirituality are from Jesus and His Holy Spirit, and in that, and only that, can we boast and rejoice (Philippians 3:3).
3. Have No Confidence in the Flesh
"Flesh" refers to our old nature, which has nothing good in it (Romans 7:18). We are to hold our flesh in subjection to God and His word through the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 9:27). We are not to rely on, or glory in, our own abilities, wisdom, or strength (Philippians 3:3; Proverbs 3:5-6). Operating from our flesh only leads to failure and disaster (2 Corinthians 10:17). We must learn to trust God and rely on His abilities, wisdom, and strength! (Psalm 121:1-2).
The true life is found when we delight ourselves in the Lord, and He gives us the desires of our heart, because our heart's desire will be to please Him (Psalm 37:4).
The Apostle Paul writes, urging believers to establish their security in the Lord: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1 NKJV). The constant command to rejoice is necessary because the Lord is the source of joy, and He is greater than any circumstance, problem, trial, or pain (Philippians 3:1; Hebrews 2:3). This joy is a fruit of the Spirit that empowers us to overcome not by our strength, but by His (Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 4:16).
The Warning: Beware of Those Who Steal Your Joy
Paul issues a stern caution against those who would corrupt the faith and steal the true joy found in Christ: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!” (Philippians 3:2). Paul refers to those who promote religious deeds and actions but reject Christ as "dogs" (Philippians 3:2). These are the religious unsaved, who oppose the gospel of grace (Psalm 22:16). The message of such "evil workers" is attractive but dangerous, leading believers astray and causing them to focus on things pleasing to themselves rather than on Jesus (Philippians 3:2).
False teachings will steal your joy (Matthew 6:31-34). We must know the Word of God so we can recognize false teachers and teaching, checking the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so (Acts 17:10-11). Anyone proclaiming something not in the written Word of God should be rejected (2 Corinthians 10:17).
The Danger of Works
The warning against "mutilation" is aimed at those who seek to gain salvation or favor through outward rituals, such as circumcision (Philippians 3:2; Genesis 17:9-14). Such religious activity, performed without a heart changed by faith, becomes nothing more than dead works (Romans 2:25-29).
Life does not consist in the abundance of things we possess (Luke 12:15). Likewise, there is nothing you can do to gain salvation or gain favor with God (Titus 3:3-8). It is a dangerous thing to think that righteous deeds give us favor or leverage with God (Ephesians 2:8-10). Salvation is not of works, lest anyone should boast; it is the gift of God through grace (Ephesians 2:9).
The Evidence of True Life in Christ
The true people of God are identified by a profound threefold spiritual reality that demonstrates the inward reality of salvation: “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).
1. Worship God in the Spirit
True spiritual worship is not occupied by ceremonies or elaborate furnishings that appeal to emotion (Philippians 3:3). It is about true worship, entering into the presence of God by faith and pouring out our love, praise, adoration, and respect (John 4:23-24). The true disciple is one who is a Jew inwardly, and whose circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter (Romans 2:28-29).
2. Rejoice in Christ Jesus
Religion leads a person to boast in what they have done (Philippians 3:3). The true disciple has nothing to boast in except in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:17). Jesus is the complete source of our joy and boasting (Philippians 3:1). Everything of human value and true spirituality are from Jesus and His Holy Spirit, and in that, and only that, can we boast and rejoice (Philippians 3:3).
3. Have No Confidence in the Flesh
"Flesh" refers to our old nature, which has nothing good in it (Romans 7:18). We are to hold our flesh in subjection to God and His word through the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 9:27). We are not to rely on, or glory in, our own abilities, wisdom, or strength (Philippians 3:3; Proverbs 3:5-6). Operating from our flesh only leads to failure and disaster (2 Corinthians 10:17). We must learn to trust God and rely on His abilities, wisdom, and strength! (Psalm 121:1-2).
The true life is found when we delight ourselves in the Lord, and He gives us the desires of our heart, because our heart's desire will be to please Him (Psalm 37:4).
Practical Applications
The Apostle Paul's command to "rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 3:1) is not a light suggestion; it is the spiritual imperative that protects us from the world's most tempting traps. If Christ is truly our source of joy, righteousness, and power, our daily lives must reflect a deliberate transfer of confidence from our shaky human efforts to His finished, perfect work. This journey requires consistent practice, moving us from the performance anxiety of religious achievement to the restful security of grace.
1. The Vigilance of Surrender: Identifying the Inner Idol
Our first practical step is to honestly answer a simple, searing question: Where do I draw my security outside of Christ? Paul warns against being snared by "things"—and these are not always tangible possessions. Sometimes, the most subtle thief of joy is the intangible idol of personal piety. We rely on our moral record ("I rarely sin"), our religious consistency (tithing, daily prayer), or our discipline, using these as internal scorecards to gain favor or standing with God.
The act of surrender begins with an inventory: recognizing that if our peace depends on the quantity of our spiritual activities, we are operating in the flesh. We must declare: There is nothing I can do to gain salvation or gain favor with God; it is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-8). We shift our focus entirely to Him, who is the source of all good things.
2. The Discipline of the Berean: Testing the Waters
The enemy's primary tactic is to steal joy through false doctrine. Therefore, our second practice must be the fierce discipline of the Berean (Acts 17:10-11). We cannot afford to be passive listeners. When we encounter a spiritual concept—especially one that focuses heavily on our own works or guarantees material gain (the very definition of "evil workers" and false teaching)—we must immediately compare it against the context of the written Word.
This requires more than a casual glance. We commit to reading, studying, listening to, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture. This continuous engagement with the Word becomes the internal, guiding light, making us capable of rejecting any proclamation that stands outside of its established truth.
3. The Power of Perspective: Choosing Rejoicing
Rejoicing is a verb, a choice, and the ultimate act of faith when circumstances fail. True joy comes from putting Jesus first. This practice is about intentionally replacing anxiety with thankfulness by acknowledging the constant that overrides every temporary trial.
When problems arise, we are tempted to recount all the great things we have done for God, hoping to "influence" Him (a transactional thought process). Instead, we must immediately pivot to recalling our spiritual assets: the greatness of our salvation, the peace we have through Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the open access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Our faith rests in this immovable fact: He is greater than any circumstance, problem, trial, or pain.
4. The Sincerity of the Heart: Cultivating Spiritual Worship
True worship is the natural outpouring of a heart that boasts only in Christ Jesus. Our fourth practice is to move beyond the outward display (the "soulish" worship occupied by ceremony and emotion) toward genuine Worship in the Spirit.
When we gather, we must check our motives: are we seeking an emotional high, or are we entering God’s presence by faith, pouring out adoration and respect? We must shift our focus away from the elements that appeal to the emotion, reminding ourselves that the true disciple has nothing to boast in except in Jesus Christ. Our worship becomes pure when we recognize that our worth and favor are only in Him and because of Him.
5. The Freedom of Dependency: Renouncing the Flesh
The final, decisive practice is to have no confidence in the flesh. The flesh—our old nature—has nothing good in it and operating from it leads only to disaster. We must constantly renounce the idea that we can live the Christian life through sheer willpower.
When facing a challenge—whether it's controlling a harmful habit or solving a complex problem—we must stop relying on our own strength and abilities, wisdom, or anything of ourselves. We must learn to trust God and rely on His abilities, wisdom, and strength!. This is the essence of living from the point of our salvation: putting sustained effort into cooperation with the Holy Spirit, understanding that it is the work of God in our lives (Philippians 2:13). The Lord helps those who trust in Him, not those who merely help themselves.
1. The Vigilance of Surrender: Identifying the Inner Idol
Our first practical step is to honestly answer a simple, searing question: Where do I draw my security outside of Christ? Paul warns against being snared by "things"—and these are not always tangible possessions. Sometimes, the most subtle thief of joy is the intangible idol of personal piety. We rely on our moral record ("I rarely sin"), our religious consistency (tithing, daily prayer), or our discipline, using these as internal scorecards to gain favor or standing with God.
The act of surrender begins with an inventory: recognizing that if our peace depends on the quantity of our spiritual activities, we are operating in the flesh. We must declare: There is nothing I can do to gain salvation or gain favor with God; it is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-8). We shift our focus entirely to Him, who is the source of all good things.
2. The Discipline of the Berean: Testing the Waters
The enemy's primary tactic is to steal joy through false doctrine. Therefore, our second practice must be the fierce discipline of the Berean (Acts 17:10-11). We cannot afford to be passive listeners. When we encounter a spiritual concept—especially one that focuses heavily on our own works or guarantees material gain (the very definition of "evil workers" and false teaching)—we must immediately compare it against the context of the written Word.
This requires more than a casual glance. We commit to reading, studying, listening to, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture. This continuous engagement with the Word becomes the internal, guiding light, making us capable of rejecting any proclamation that stands outside of its established truth.
3. The Power of Perspective: Choosing Rejoicing
Rejoicing is a verb, a choice, and the ultimate act of faith when circumstances fail. True joy comes from putting Jesus first. This practice is about intentionally replacing anxiety with thankfulness by acknowledging the constant that overrides every temporary trial.
When problems arise, we are tempted to recount all the great things we have done for God, hoping to "influence" Him (a transactional thought process). Instead, we must immediately pivot to recalling our spiritual assets: the greatness of our salvation, the peace we have through Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the open access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Our faith rests in this immovable fact: He is greater than any circumstance, problem, trial, or pain.
4. The Sincerity of the Heart: Cultivating Spiritual Worship
True worship is the natural outpouring of a heart that boasts only in Christ Jesus. Our fourth practice is to move beyond the outward display (the "soulish" worship occupied by ceremony and emotion) toward genuine Worship in the Spirit.
When we gather, we must check our motives: are we seeking an emotional high, or are we entering God’s presence by faith, pouring out adoration and respect? We must shift our focus away from the elements that appeal to the emotion, reminding ourselves that the true disciple has nothing to boast in except in Jesus Christ. Our worship becomes pure when we recognize that our worth and favor are only in Him and because of Him.
5. The Freedom of Dependency: Renouncing the Flesh
The final, decisive practice is to have no confidence in the flesh. The flesh—our old nature—has nothing good in it and operating from it leads only to disaster. We must constantly renounce the idea that we can live the Christian life through sheer willpower.
When facing a challenge—whether it's controlling a harmful habit or solving a complex problem—we must stop relying on our own strength and abilities, wisdom, or anything of ourselves. We must learn to trust God and rely on His abilities, wisdom, and strength!. This is the essence of living from the point of our salvation: putting sustained effort into cooperation with the Holy Spirit, understanding that it is the work of God in our lives (Philippians 2:13). The Lord helps those who trust in Him, not those who merely help themselves.
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Discussion Questions
- Paul writes, "To write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe." In our spiritual walk, we often chase new insights, yet Paul emphasizes the safety found in remembering established truths. Why do you think we are prone to forgetting the basics of the faith, and how does spiritual repetition protect us? (2 Peter 1:12-13; Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
- Life often becomes wrapped up in "things"—whether tangible possessions or intangible achievements. While God gives us good things to enjoy, Jesus warned that our lives do not consist of them. How can we identify when a good "thing" has become a stumbling block to our joy? (Luke 12:15; Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)
- Paul uses the harsh term "dogs" to describe those who are religious but spiritually "homeless"—scavenging for crumbs of self-righteousness rather than feasting at the Lord's table. How is it possible to be active in religious deeds yet lack a true relationship with God? (Matthew 7:21-23; Isaiah 29:13)
- Scripture warns that "evil company corrupts good habits". While we are called to witness to the lost, we must be careful of relationships that pull us away from Jesus. How do we balance loving others with the need to protect our own spiritual vitality? (1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 13:20)
- A mark of a believer is that they rejoice (boast) in Christ Jesus rather than their own achievements. Reflecting on your conversations this past week, what have you been "boasting" in—your worries, your accomplishments, or your Savior?(Jeremiah 9:23-24; Galatians 6:14)
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