The Power of Influence: Why You Should Beware of the Company You Keep 

Verse Mapping

Philippians 3:2, NIV: Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.

Philippians 3:2, ESV: Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Philippians 3:2, KJV: Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Philippians 3:2, NASB: Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;

Philippians 3:2, NLT: Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.

Philippians 3:2, CSB: Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Beware of the Judaizers: Why Faith in  Christ Alone is Essential for Salvation

In the early Christian church, there were some Jewish Christians who taught that Gentile converts had to follow Jewish customs and laws in addition to believing in Jesus Christ to be saved. These legalistic teachers were known as Judaizers, from the Greek word for “Judaism.” Their controversial message caused much confusion and division in the fledgling communities of faith, as some believers were tempted to compromise their freedom in Christ and others were outraged by the false teaching.

Have you felt at some point in your life tempted to compromise your free in Christ?

The Judaizers claimed to be Christians themselves and even used some of the same language and concepts as the apostles. They acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah and that salvation was by grace through faith, but they added a crucial condition: obedience to the Mosaic law, especially circumcision. They argued that the law was still valid and necessary for righteousness, and that faith without works was dead. They also criticized Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, for teaching a different gospel that allegedly undermined the authority of the law and the identity of the Jews. 

However, the Judaizers misunderstood the nature of the law and the purposes of Christ’s death and resurrection. They failed to see that the law was given to Israel as a temporary covenant to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior, not as a means of earning Salvation. They also missed the fact that Christ fulfilled the law and made a new covenant based on His own righteousness, not on human effort or merit. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing” (Galatians 2:21). 

Moreover, the Judaizers distorted the gospel by mixing it with legalism, which is a form of self-righteousness and pride that denies the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement and the power of the Holy Spirit  They put a stumbling block before the Gentiles and hindered their faith by imposing unnecessary burdens and rituals that Christ has already abolished. They also opposed the unity and diversity of the church, which was meant to reflect the manifold wisdom and glory of God in the world. 

What comes to mind when you read the above paragraph?

Let’s continue by using our…

S.O.U.L Bible Study Method

S: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision” (KJV)

O: In life we encounter many people who have different values, beliefs, and goals than ours. Some of them are supportive, encouraging and inspiring, while others are critical, pessimistic, and destructive. When it comes to our faith, and our calling in God’s plan, we must be especially careful who we surround ourselves with, as the wrong company can derail us from our purpose and hinder our relationship with God. 

As we continue with our study, the Judaizers should serve as a warning and a caution for us today. We must beware of any teaching and or person who seeks to add or subtract from the gospel of Jesus Christ, who claims that faith in Christ alone is not enough for salvation, or who elevates human traditions and opinions over the Word of God. We must test everything by the standard of Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth and convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We must also love one another, even when we disagree, and seek to build up the body of Christ by using our gifts and talents for the common good and the glory of God. 

U: We must learn to recognize and resist the detractors, by relying on God’s truth, wisdom, and strength.Here are some practical steps we can take to avoid their traps and stay on track with God:

• Pray for discernment and protection. Ask God to reveal to you who are the detractors in your life, and to shield you from their influence. Pray also for wisdom, courage, and humility to respond to them in a loving and truthful way. 

• Seek counsel from godly sources. Find people who are mature, wise, and trustworthy in their faith, and ask for their feedback and advice. Share your doubts, fears, and aspirations with them, and listen to their perspectives and insights. 

• Study and meditate on God’s Word. Read the Bible daily, and see to understand its message, contexts, and application to your life. Memorize key verses that affirm God’s love, power, and purpose, and use them as a weapon against the lies and doubts of the detractors. 

• Stay connected to a faith community. Attend a church, a Bible Study, or a fellowship group where you can worship, learn, and serve with other believers. Build relationships that are based on mutual respect, accountability, and edification, and avoid those that are toxic, critical, or divisive. 

• Follow God’s leading, not people’s opinions. Trust in God’s sovereignty, providence, and grace to guide you in your journey of faith and service. Listen to His voice through prayer, reading, circumstances, and the Holy Spirit, and obey His commands with humility, joy, and perseverance. 

In conclusion, the Judaizers were false teachers who distorted the gospel of Jesus Christ by adding legalism to grace, and who caused much harm to the church and the mission of God. The detractors are real and dangerous, but they are not stronger than God’s love and truth. We need to be alert and wise to their tactics, but we must not be afraid or discouraged by them.

We need to learn from their errors and avoid their traps, by holding fast to the truth of the gospel and living by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (v.14).  

L: Lord, thank You for keeping us alert of the dangers of legalism and the Judaizers of our day. Sometimes we cannot recognize their tactics, Lord, but we come to You today for Your guidance and protection as we face the challenges of false teachings and deceptive influences in our lives. We ask You to give us discernment and wisdom to recognize those who distort the truth and seek to mislead us away from Your grace and love. 

We especially pray for those Judaizers who were taught that faith in Christ was not enough for salvation and that adherence to Jewish customs and laws was necessary. We ask You to help us understand the true message of Your gospel, which is that we are saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ, Who died and rose again to redeem us from sin and death. 

We pray for those who are still influenced by the Judaizers’ teachings, whether knowingly or unknowingly, and for those who promote legalism, works-based salvation, or any other form of religious bondage. We ask You to open their hearts and minds for the truth of Your grace and freedom, and to reveal to them the beauty and power of Your mercy and forgiveness.

We also pray for ourselves, that we may not be swayed by the opinions or traditions of others, but that we may stay rooted in Your Word and Your Spirit. We ask You to strengthen our faith, increase our love, and empower us to live out Your will in all aspects of our lives. Help us to be faithful witnesses of Your truth, grace, and love to those around us, and to resist the temptations of pride, legalism, and self-righteousness. 

Thank You, Lord, for Your grace, Your mercy, and Your faithfulness. We trust in Your goodness and Your promises, and we commit ourselves to Your care and Your glory. 

In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.