Philipians 3:2

My cousin reached out this morning with this question from Phillipians...

"Watch out those who do evil things, those (dogs) those who insist on cutting the body. Elezea hii kidogo please?"


Response:

In Philippians 3:2, when Paul warns, "Watch out for those who do evil, those dogs, those mutilators of the flesh," he’s cautioning believers against false teachers who insist on circumcision (or "cutting the body") as a requirement for salvation. In Paul’s day, there were Jewish teachers who claimed that Gentiles needed to observe the law of Moses, including circumcision, to be true Christians. This teaching went directly against the gospel of grace. 


The term “dogs” is powerful here. While the Jews often referred to Gentiles as "dogs"—unclean and outside God’s covenant—Paul uses the term to describe false teachers among the Jews. These "dogs" are blind guides, focused more on their traditions and personal gain than on the truth of the gospel. Isaiah describes them similarly in Isaiah 56:10-11: “They are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream...they are shepherds who lack understanding...they seek their own gain.” These false prophets don’t serve God’s interests but rather their own.


In our time, this warning is just as relevant. There are those who preach with motives centered on personal benefit—fame, money, or self-gratification. Paul describes such people in Philippians 3:18-19, saying, “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame.” They focus only on earthly matters, leading believers to prioritize wealth, health, or self over Christ.


But as Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20, “Our citizenship is in heaven.” Our conversations, our hopes, and our focus should be on Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of the Father. As believers, we’re called to be heavenly-minded, committed to fulfilling Jesus’ commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). 


So, let's stay vigilant and cautious, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and leading others to do the same, with our hearts centered on His mission.

In picture: friends and fellow ministers in the body Christ. A worship leader and film expert, two wonderful moms and the ever smiling disciple maker.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When the firstborn dies.

Image
Everything Changes When a Firstborn Dies. Today, I found myself reflecting on ancient Egypt—specifically, during the reign of the Pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). It was a time of great power, but also of great sorrow, especially when things took a tragic turn. Now, you might know the story, but let's revisit it a bit. Joseph, the shepherd boy and his father’s favorite, found himself in a bit of a pickle. His brothers, tired of his dreams and his fancy coat, sold him off to some merchants. These merchants then sold Joseph as a slave in Egypt. Fast forward a few years, and our boy Joseph had climbed the ranks in Egypt, from slave to leader. He was well-known, respected, and even had a family. Then, a severe drought struck, and Egypt, under Joseph’s brilliant management, became the region’s breadbasket. It’s said that the grain stores were so full that they stopped keeping records (Genesis 41:49). This abundance attracted people from all over, including Joseph’s own...
Read more

Full year BRG - Canonical

Image
Key Tips for Success Consistency Over Perfection: If you miss a day, don’t give up. Use the lighter weekends to catch up. Break It Down: Split the daily chapters into smaller portions (e.g., morning and evening readings). Use Audio Bibles: If you're too tired to read, listen to the chapters while driving, cooking, or relaxing. Journal Your Journey: Note one insight or question per day to deepen understanding and engagement. Accountability Groups: Form a small Bible study group to stay motivated and share reflections. - Week 1 (Jan 1–7):   Mon: Genesis 1–4     Tue: Genesis 5–8     Wed: Genesis 9–12     Thu: Genesis 13–16     Fri: Genesis 17–20     Sat: Genesis 21–22     Sun: Genesis 23–24   - Week 2 (Jan 8–14):   Mon: Genesis 25–28     Tue: Genesis 29–32     Wed: Genesis 33–36     Thu: Genesis 37–40     Fri: Genesis 41–4...
Read more

Praying for the physically ill.

Image
Whenever we have a loved one not feeling well, admitted in hospital or maybe even in a critical condition according to the medics, prayer can become hard. We get to a point of prayer fatigue (I first heard that term from a friend called Sarah) and if things are not handled well, we may end up praying amiss as James describes it. I have highlighted the WE sections to emphasize the value of prayer of unity. However, if you're praying while alone, you still are not alone. Believers pray in the company of other believers seen or unseen. That's why our Lord taught us to pray "our father" and not my father. We're never alone in the place of prayer. May this guide help you pray for yourself, your loved one, friend or a friend to a friend. Pray in the spirit and with understanding. 1. Praying for God's Will to Be Done In Mark 1:40-42, a man with leprosy came to Jesus and said, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus responded, "I am willing....
Read more