Beware of Dogs

This message is rooted in Philippians 3:2 (NIV) — “Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.” “Dogs” in the Bible goes beyond literal animals. In both Old and New Testament usage, it often symbolizes people who are spiritually unclean, deceptive, or vicious with their words. As believers we must discern who the people we allow in our lives associate with, especially those who act religious outwardly but spread falsehoods or division.

In Revelation 22:14–15 it says — “Blessed are those who wash their robes... Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” In this context, “dogs” represent those excluded from God’s eternal kingdom due to their unrepentant and destructive behavior. Dogs is a metaphor to include slanderers and hypocrites—those who bark loudly with accusations yet refuse to confront their own sin. Jesus Himself warned against this in Matthew 7:3–5 , which warns against judging others while ignoring one’s own faults.

Timothy warns about associating with people that have a “lying hypocrisy” (cf. 1 Timothy 4:2), where people knowingly spread falsehoods to harm others, often while cloaked in a form of righteousness.

This metaphor is also associated with spiritual opposition: critics may bark loudly, but they cannot stop the divine momentum of God’s work in someone’s life. Echoing Romans 8:31 — “If God is for us, who can be against us?” — believers should stay focused on their calling and let their focus on God’s purpose for their lives guide them and remain faithful to it.

This is both an encouragement and a warning. Believers must be alert, avoid fellowship with unfruitful and destructive influences, and remember that no weapon—verbal or otherwise—can derail God’s destiny for their lives.