Beware and Stand Strong
Blessings Church, I pray that our Heavenly Father blesses you abundantly and exceedingly, pouring His grace and favor upon you and your household.
This past weekend, my son Giuliano preached at our church in Argentina, and my daughter Fiorella led worship. As a father, I was deeply moved and proud to see them walking in their callings. But beyond my personal joy, Giuliano’s sermon on Philippians 3 led me to revisit the entire chapter. As I read, Paul’s strong warning stood out to me:
“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.” (Philippians 3:2)
These warnings remain just as relevant today. Paul cautions us against three types of dangers:
- “Dogs” – Those who attack the Gospel and seek to create division. These are often outsiders who oppose the Church, spreading false accusations, undermining truth, and stirring up conflict.
- “Evil Workers” – Those who outwardly appear to do good but actually oppose the truth, leading others astray with false teachings. They twist Scripture, dilute the Gospel, or introduce ideas that shift the focus away from Christ.
- “Mutilators” – Those who emphasize religious rituals over true faith in Christ, promoting legalism instead of grace. They create unnecessary burdens and distort the Gospel by making salvation about what we do rather than what Christ has done.
How Do We Beware?
Paul uses the word “beware” three times, emphasizing the intentional effort needed to guard against these dangers. So, what should we do?- Know the Word of God – The best way to recognize deception is to be deeply rooted in Scripture. The more we immerse ourselves in the truth, the easier it is to spot falsehoods.
- Test Everything by the Spirit – 1 John 4:1 tells us, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Not everything that looks spiritual or good is truly from God. We must discern through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- Guard Our Hearts Against Offense – The enemy often uses division to weaken the Church. Even when people are used to bring harm, our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). We must remain free from bitterness, walk in forgiveness, and keep our focus on Christ.
- Stay Connected to a Healthy Community – Isolation makes us more vulnerable to deception. Being part of a Christ-centered, Bible-believing community provides accountability, encouragement, and protection.
- Boldly Stand for Truth – We are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). When we encounter distortions of the Gospel, we should lovingly correct them, standing firm on the foundation of God’s Word.
The Call to True Faith
Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:3 who the true people of God are. They are those who:
- Worship in the Spirit of God – True worship is not about external rituals but about a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit.
- Boast in Christ Jesus – Our confidence is not in ourselves, our works, or our traditions, but in Christ alone.
- Put No Confidence in the Flesh – Nothing we can achieve, no religious effort, can earn us salvation. It is only by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Paul shares his own testimony (Philippians 3:4-7), explaining that if anyone had reason to boast in religious credentials, it was him. Yet, he counts it all as loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ.
His call to us is clear: reject self-righteousness, stand firm in the Gospel, and embrace the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus alone (Philippians 3:9).
A Final Encouragement
In times like these, when the Church faces external opposition and internal deception, we must be even more vigilant. But at the same time, we must not be fearful—we serve a victorious Savior! As we keep our eyes on Jesus, walk in His truth, and rely on His Spirit, we will remain steadfast in the faith.
May this passage encourage you to stand firm, stay grounded in truth, and live in the power of God’s grace.
See you this coming Sunday and stay warm! |
