Beware of Dogs

Remember Dr. Seuss and his blue dogs, red dogs, yellow dogs, etc book called Go, Dog, Go!?  Well, I just looked it up and, oops, it wasn't Dr. Seuss who wrote that one but a P. D. Eastman;  anyway, a similar writing style.  It was one of my favorite books as a child.  Fun books.

The apostle Paul of the Bible also wrote about dogs, but not in such a humorous style.  He was warning against 'dogs'.  

In Philippians 3:2, 3 he says,

"Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh..."

 or as the KJV puts it...

 "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers..."

In Paul's context he was talking about those people who were thinking they were just a little bit better than others because they were following the Jewish laws.  Paul sarcastically goes on to say, he had great "reasons to put confidence in the flesh" because he had an excellent record of following very precisely all that old way of relating to God.  He was the "top of the class, valedictorian" type and he could rightfully flaunt his pedigree; a Ph. D., if you will, in all of that.

All this would be a stirring up of things and causing dissension among the people of God whose goal should rather have been that of pleasing God...  

"...To glory in Christ Jesus." (vs 3).

The Israelites were to consider dogs as 'unclean' animals.  In Bible times dogs were looked down upon and were definitely not of the pampered and petted caliber of today's North American, almost idolization, of their pet pups.   

Ellen White, Ph. D. (in Hebrew Bible) tells us that in those ancient times the dogs usually ran wild and in packs.  They were scavengers and "exhibited predatory behavior". 

Some did look like this poor fellow

With this in mind you can see Paul's point regarding those who would like to stir up strife among the brethren.

Once upon a time quite some years ago, I too experienced unpleasant encounters with the canine species.  Dogs that were, way back then, not very well kept.  This is what happened.

Walking down a certain street in K on my way to the market and back, I'd be deep in thought or singing merrily to myself, enjoying life and the surrounding creation of early morning excursions.  All of a sudden, one, two or even at times, three or more, beasts of that canine family would rush out, snarling and/or barking ferociously a couple of feet from my ankles.  Startled from reverie or abruptly halted in song, ones immediate reactions were to S-C-R-E-A-M; run, &/or attempt to bash those dogs with purse, grocery bags...anything...

The proximity of the canine's canines and the imagining of the teeth-in-human flesh concept was the greatest fear.  Oh, that and not to mention rabies....

Repeat occurrences conditioned me (me, not Pavlov's dogs; how ironic), to carry an umbrella, rain or shine each journey.  During times of attack I learned to stand still, swing said umbrella, pray, and order the dog(s) away.  I learned to be wary before taking the plunge down the street.  The checklist had to be checked:  Which gates are closed?  Are they the ones with problem dogs?  Are there any dogs already on the street?  Then proceed with caution.

If dogs appear en route, then cross to other side with all "weapons" primed for action.  Also do not forget to continue to expect a rear flank attack.  The slightest rustle of grass must be investigated.

Although the actual encounters were few I was taking no risks and through these episodes would try to fathom--"Lord, what do you want me to learn from this!?"

The attacks could either be predicated or come by surprise, so the defense was WARINESS, or as Paul put it, "BEWARE!"  The Lord brought to my attention "the dogs" that would inhibit spiritual growth.  Such dogs as:  unforgiveness that breeds bitterness, anger, hate; irritations (things others do that tick one off) and that breeds criticism, malice and slander instead of patience and forbearance and praise and love of others; pride (in anything, even Bible knowledge); a getting instead of a giving, grateful spirit; the list could go on. 

What Paul was getting at with the Philippians' 'dogs' was legalistic dogma (pun intended) that had to be put to sleep; for good.   Enough of putting "confidence in the flesh".  We would do well to take heed of that as well.

Be encouraged, my brothers and sisters in Christ to identify your "dogs", to be wary of them; use your "weapons" (the Word of God which you have memorized and meditated upon).  Ask the Lord to help you through the Holy Spirit who indwells you and remember to put no confidence in the flesh. 

 Remember 1 Corinthians 10:12 which says..

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall..."

Desire total riddance, no matter which 'breed' the "dog" represents.  The "beware of, or watch out for, dogs" lesson has been physically ingrained in me, thanks to those mangy mongrel mutts and even classy purebred canines that were allowed freedom to roam.  Let the Lord use this little 'picture' to help us in our spiritual life , to understand and deal with the "dogs" that prevent our growth and personal communion with the Lord.  Beware of dogs!

                        ~ERC  2017~

                      (Originally written July 1988)