In verse 18, Paul expressed his sorrow over the plight of unsaved false teachers. In this verse, he offers four descriptions regarding their behaviors.
First these false teachers are not simply Christians who misunderstood a portion of the gospel. These are unsaved individuals, rejecting the gospel itself, and who will experience destruction apart from faith in Christ.
Second, for false teachers, Paul notes their focus on greed. Many false teachers, then and now, seek money in order to make a profit ( 1 Timothy 6:5), rather that truly serving the Lord. In contrast to Christ-like believers, false teachers are more concerned with their own desires than the needs of other people ( Romans 16:18).
Third, these false teachers call evil good, and promote sinful actions as being right. More than simply excusing sin, they celebrate it.
Fourth, the goal of false teachers is not on Christ and being with Him for eternity. In contrast with Paul's teachings, throughout chapter 3, their goal is on the here and now. Their only thought is what they can get out of life and other people-today.
Philippians 3:2, 3, 18, 19
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their BELLY, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
Mishael: do not be deceived. We're living in the time period of the Great Falling Away (into apostasy). Your defense is to know what the Bible says, on what someone teaches you. Search it out yourself. Don't "eat" everything someone tosses out your way, until you verify the scriptures.
Bless those who ARE teaching truth. God will confirm it.
12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
15 For without are DOGS, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
But who are these dogs among us? The answer is in Isaiah 56:v. 8-11
8 The Lord God, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb DOGS, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are SHEPHERDS that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
I'm generally responding to other people's posts, which I enjoy very much. I don't care for controversy as a rule. I'm an old evangelist who can't seem to retire yet. I try to interest others to speak their faith to others while the Lord tarries a little more. I think that's what this forum is about. That, and just answering questions.
You learn stuff on the sidewalks of life. If I ran into you, I would think you are not ready to hear the Good News.
I've been fasting all day, the sun is setting and I'm off to quiet the grumbling in my middle :D
My cat is holding a vigil over her bowl too. I will see everyone tomorrow. God speed. (I've never known what that really means, do you?
If I may share with you what I've learned about the phrase "God Speed." It is only used in Second John verses 10-11 as far as I know. Now in second John, it talks about deceivers and false teachers that were corrupting the church.
It says in Verse 9 that whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God, Does not have God! A person is called a transgressor that's going beyond. The Gnostics went beyond the teachings of Jesus Christ, or the doctrine of Christ.
And they went beyond the teachings of the apostles. They did not remain in the doctrine of Christ, but they went in another direction. And John says they do not have God. And then it says "He that abides, and that's a Present Participle, meaning the one who is abiding continuously in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. Uh oh! The Gnostics don't believe the Father and the Son go together, or as one. Here we go again!
But as far as this phrase "God Speed," it means do not speak greetings. If someone comes knocking on your door trying to share the "gospel" with you, and you know it is false, you are not to let them in your home.
Verse 11 gives us the reason. It says, "For he that bids him God speed, or greetings, is partaker of his evil deeds." That sounds pretty harsh and we might ask how is that showing love? But if love is not associated with the truth, it is not God's love, and we're deceiving ourselves.
So if someone comes to my door and is bringing false doctrine, I can't even say "Good luck." I can't even say "Greetings anyway." Some people would do that and say I can't let you in my house because of your false doctrine, and they feel really bad about it, and they at least say "God bless you today as you go on your journey!
John says even if you say that, you are a partaker of their evil work. The word partaker is the word KOINONIA which means fellowship. You're fellowshiping with their evil works. Now that's pretty heavy!
Jesse, believe it or not, that's the first time I ever said that to someone.
Someone had just sorta rebuked me for mentioning dogs. I was hungry, tired and just wanted to go... and my flesh ruined a perfectly good day.
Thanks for the teaching tho' cause I really didn't know what it meant.
I had the JW's come by my door. I would nicely disagree when they wanted to read the brochure to me, and I worked my testimony in other times. It went on a few months. I knew they thought they had me straddling the middle. I had to say my decision for Jesus was firm. Then I said after the Rapture they could still receive Jesus as their Savior...they might die for it, but at least they'd be received into heaven. They're very sweet, but very much blinded as are some Jews in Israel.
Things we never forget like Kindness - In Reply - 3 years ago
I read Watchman Nee's book: the spiritual man, over a summer. That's when I learned how the flesh wars against the soul and spirit. I know people (dislike) tv preachers.. but as a baby christian being choked, held down, eyes pinned by demons; I had need to learn The Authority of Jesus Christ in the believer, ASAP. I learned fast and yes those demons got cast into dry places in outer darkness; never to return! I should write it on this website.
Don't ever feel like your testimony is not valuable to the Lord. Who is also the "Lord of the Harvest." He may need your testimony someday. You need to give it to Him.
I have other friends like you who lift me up just being around them. We need you in the Body of Christ. There are spiritual gifts to be given to you. I think first, a person has to fall in love with the Holy Sprit. He's so precious to Jesus, He forbids us to blaspheme him, or say that his gifts are evil. I was smitten head to toe that first week. "Someone" was telling me what to do those first months. He has saved my life many times. I sit in the closet under the clothes and pray and try to sing unlike a frog. I wait and wait hoping he'll tell me a truth or reveal a mystery I'll chase through the Bible till I find it. One time I was in the closet and I think my angel sang "I walk the Line" by Johnny Cash!! I didn't know it was a gospel tune. I don't think I can describe the closeness we can have with the Holy Spirit.
I had a vision of me after I was saved. People told me, that people like me couldn't possibly get saved because I was bad. I wanted love but I chose to believe their jests and jokes. It broke my heart and I decided I could make Jesus hate me too. "I saw Jesus on his back nailed to the cross. He was looking at me. He said I love you. I used a rock to drive the nails deeper. He kept saying I love you. Finally I dropped the rock and his arms held me."
What a marvellous post, (I am assuming Mishael?) It really made me smile. Closeness with the Holy Spirit is my whole life, so I could really relate. (I love the thought of you singing with him in your prayer closet! I also love how you wait and listen for revealed mysteries, me too! By the way, I would really like to hear more of your testimony. I have always felt that God's closest friends will pass through hell with Him, do much spiritual warfare, and go through everything the Lord went through.... as they grow in spirit.... so early on the enemy tried to pin you down with his minions, but what anointing was on your soul! ) When I run in the morning, that is when I meet Him most. I hear the most amazing things. I start out running like a tired old woman, but by the end of the run I feel like a Nordic champion! haha.. (I am Norwegian American.) Most of my early walk with the Lord I tried to be selfless. I cut my hair off all short, purposely gained weight to be unattractive, ate things I hated, thinking this was taking up my cross. All self-driven. But to great surprise, He seemed to want the opposite. Because in His presence I felt beautiful. When he called me, "little one" or "beloved" I felt my vastness, like an ocean! Holding up the ocean liners of the world... And here I was trying to perfect my little tugboat. I can't get enough of nearness to Him, so thank you for your post, which lifted my the spirit right up.
oh and isn't that just like Him. In our desperation we purposely press those nails in, and he disarms us with his mercy....
Start off fasting for 24-48 hrs. Embrace hunger like Christ. It is healthy for your digestive system to rest, and not eat most waking hours. The benefits appear quickly down to the cellular level. I do intermittent fasting, eating in an 8 hr window. I love not having to eat breakfast, or being a slave to food.
If you also have weight lifting in your life, 3-4x/week, then you got it going on. I climb a mountain (Loma ridge) in my back yard, to the top, but am a gym rat at heart.
You will make it through without food just fine. Like most of us, we tend to be our worst enemy, but if around someone we are attracted to, we are going to behave totally different, confident. So what does that tell you? Life is a state of mind. The fear you have in your mind in illusionary, based on your irrational fears. Step out of your comfort zone and your spiritual awareness will squelch out anything that gets in its way.
You asked: "What does "Who God is their belly" mean?"
It means glutton, guzzler, gourmand, guttler. Kind of people whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
In verse 18, Paul expressed his sorrow over the plight of unsaved false teachers. In this verse, he offers four descriptions regarding their behaviors.
First these false teachers are not simply Christians who misunderstood a portion of the gospel. These are unsaved individuals, rejecting the gospel itself, and who will experience destruction apart from faith in Christ.
Second, for false teachers, Paul notes their focus on greed. Many false teachers, then and now, seek money in order to make a profit ( 1 Timothy 6:5), rather that truly serving the Lord. In contrast to Christ-like believers, false teachers are more concerned with their own desires than the needs of other people ( Romans 16:18).
Third, these false teachers call evil good, and promote sinful actions as being right. More than simply excusing sin, they celebrate it.
Fourth, the goal of false teachers is not on Christ and being with Him for eternity. In contrast with Paul's teachings, throughout chapter 3, their goal is on the here and now. Their only thought is what they can get out of life and other people-today.
Philippians 3:2, 3, 18, 19
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their BELLY, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
Mishael: do not be deceived. We're living in the time period of the Great Falling Away (into apostasy). Your defense is to know what the Bible says, on what someone teaches you. Search it out yourself. Don't "eat" everything someone tosses out your way, until you verify the scriptures.
Bless those who ARE teaching truth. God will confirm it.
Mishael
Beware of dogs... Dogs? Who are them?
JESUS said: Revelation 22:v.12 and 15
12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
15 For without are DOGS, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
But who are these dogs among us? The answer is in Isaiah 56:v. 8-11
8 The Lord God, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb DOGS, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are SHEPHERDS that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
And the TAIL of the red Dragon? Who are them?
The Word of GOD reveals who are them.
I'm generally responding to other people's posts, which I enjoy very much. I don't care for controversy as a rule. I'm an old evangelist who can't seem to retire yet. I try to interest others to speak their faith to others while the Lord tarries a little more. I think that's what this forum is about. That, and just answering questions.
You learn stuff on the sidewalks of life. If I ran into you, I would think you are not ready to hear the Good News.
I've been fasting all day, the sun is setting and I'm off to quiet the grumbling in my middle :D
My cat is holding a vigil over her bowl too. I will see everyone tomorrow. God speed. (I've never known what that really means, do you?
If I may share with you what I've learned about the phrase "God Speed." It is only used in Second John verses 10-11 as far as I know. Now in second John, it talks about deceivers and false teachers that were corrupting the church.
It says in Verse 9 that whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God, Does not have God! A person is called a transgressor that's going beyond. The Gnostics went beyond the teachings of Jesus Christ, or the doctrine of Christ.
And they went beyond the teachings of the apostles. They did not remain in the doctrine of Christ, but they went in another direction. And John says they do not have God. And then it says "He that abides, and that's a Present Participle, meaning the one who is abiding continuously in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. Uh oh! The Gnostics don't believe the Father and the Son go together, or as one. Here we go again!
But as far as this phrase "God Speed," it means do not speak greetings. If someone comes knocking on your door trying to share the "gospel" with you, and you know it is false, you are not to let them in your home.
Verse 11 gives us the reason. It says, "For he that bids him God speed, or greetings, is partaker of his evil deeds." That sounds pretty harsh and we might ask how is that showing love? But if love is not associated with the truth, it is not God's love, and we're deceiving ourselves.
So if someone comes to my door and is bringing false doctrine, I can't even say "Good luck." I can't even say "Greetings anyway." Some people would do that and say I can't let you in my house because of your false doctrine, and they feel really bad about it, and they at least say "God bless you today as you go on your journey!
John says even if you say that, you are a partaker of their evil work. The word partaker is the word KOINONIA which means fellowship. You're fellowshiping with their evil works. Now that's pretty heavy!
Someone had just sorta rebuked me for mentioning dogs. I was hungry, tired and just wanted to go... and my flesh ruined a perfectly good day.
Thanks for the teaching tho' cause I really didn't know what it meant.
I had the JW's come by my door. I would nicely disagree when they wanted to read the brochure to me, and I worked my testimony in other times. It went on a few months. I knew they thought they had me straddling the middle. I had to say my decision for Jesus was firm. Then I said after the Rapture they could still receive Jesus as their Savior...they might die for it, but at least they'd be received into heaven. They're very sweet, but very much blinded as are some Jews in Israel.
My sweet tea and corn muffins failed.
Thank you, Dear Friend
yet been able to let go of attachment to food. I bless everyone
who fasts! Mishael I'm so happy the Lord is tarrying so I can
hear your words. Whatever I pray for, personally, these days,
the only thing coming back is God's mercy. I am more and more
blown away by His mercy toward me.... My past mistakes, like
dirty rags, He just looks upon with such compassion, and now
I do too. My little efforts at poetry, songs to God, what stammerings!
But He looks upon them with such love, like a Father would look at
the first words of his little child. Today I was enjoying myself
in a local Cafe, a coffee, almond pastry, and Watchman Nee.
Why do I need such special treatment! I could be a spiritual
warrior! A Spiritual athlete! but He just smiled and smiled,
and I had a really nice time with Him. I am 60 years old and
running every morning at 5 a.m., rain or shine, watching the sun
rise up over the mountain. What unspeakable beauty.!.. I just
ran my first race.... (his mercy endureth forever).
Don't ever feel like your testimony is not valuable to the Lord. Who is also the "Lord of the Harvest." He may need your testimony someday. You need to give it to Him.
I have other friends like you who lift me up just being around them. We need you in the Body of Christ. There are spiritual gifts to be given to you. I think first, a person has to fall in love with the Holy Sprit. He's so precious to Jesus, He forbids us to blaspheme him, or say that his gifts are evil. I was smitten head to toe that first week. "Someone" was telling me what to do those first months. He has saved my life many times. I sit in the closet under the clothes and pray and try to sing unlike a frog. I wait and wait hoping he'll tell me a truth or reveal a mystery I'll chase through the Bible till I find it. One time I was in the closet and I think my angel sang "I walk the Line" by Johnny Cash!! I didn't know it was a gospel tune. I don't think I can describe the closeness we can have with the Holy Spirit.
I had a vision of me after I was saved. People told me, that people like me couldn't possibly get saved because I was bad. I wanted love but I chose to believe their jests and jokes. It broke my heart and I decided I could make Jesus hate me too. "I saw Jesus on his back nailed to the cross. He was looking at me. He said I love you. I used a rock to drive the nails deeper. He kept saying I love you. Finally I dropped the rock and his arms held me."
Love never fails. Be happy. We need you.
come out of my shell and be in this world IN CHRIST.... I was kept
hidden away, or kept myself hidden away, too long afraid of the world.
All this time, too, I know I was being prepared, so I didn't waste my cave-time.
"What if they hate me?" hahaha! Remember they hated Me before they hated
you. I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me through the 8th grade rough-housers I work with,
who were egging themselves on about the newest outrageous ski-jump they're planning:
"Bro, Send it."
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
oh and isn't that just like Him. In our desperation we purposely press those nails in, and he disarms us with his mercy....
Start off fasting for 24-48 hrs. Embrace hunger like Christ. It is healthy for your digestive system to rest, and not eat most waking hours. The benefits appear quickly down to the cellular level. I do intermittent fasting, eating in an 8 hr window. I love not having to eat breakfast, or being a slave to food.
If you also have weight lifting in your life, 3-4x/week, then you got it going on. I climb a mountain (Loma ridge) in my back yard, to the top, but am a gym rat at heart.
be able to fast, I feel literally called to it, but I have been resisting.
I hope you or anyone else reading this will pray for me? There seems
to be a deep fear in me of fasting, and a deep attachment to food
which the Lord has, up until now, "gone easy on me." But he is
calling us on to be cleansed of all enslavement to the body and food
like this, for sure.... I have many books on fasting, so I don't need
any more knowledge.... I need power to do it. (Holy Spirit.)
have tried intermittent fasting, but as I've said, there is internal
barrier holding me back. I feel very strongly called to "fast and pray."
Pray for the nations. Pray for the salvation of others....
I do weights at home, 4 times a week during my training periods.
I also do not eat meat or dairy but that is just me. I eat a plant based
diet.
I think that there was so much spiritual pride in me early on,
that the Lord led me in the opposite direction of anything that
would feed my spiritual lust..... He has broken me time and again!
but things are changing these days, and it could be that I am more
ready, knowing more deeply that I am truly nothing apart from God.
Thanks for sharing, I heard the Lord in it speaking to me!
You will make it through without food just fine. Like most of us, we tend to be our worst enemy, but if around someone we are attracted to, we are going to behave totally different, confident. So what does that tell you? Life is a state of mind. The fear you have in your mind in illusionary, based on your irrational fears. Step out of your comfort zone and your spiritual awareness will squelch out anything that gets in its way.
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