Beware of those who mind earthly things

Beware of those who mind earthly things

Israel walked under the physical letter of the law. Their faith was connected to signs and miracles which showcased the power of God in this earthly environment. Their inheritance is the earth, the physical realm, the tangible things.

Today, however, in this dispensation of grace, we are called to walk according to a different realm. We walk according to the newness of the spirit (grace), not the oldness of the letter, (law). (Rom.7.6). Our dispensation is not connected to the natural world. Our faith is not connected to signs and miracles, or to anything tangible. Paul writes that our walk is from faith to faith (Rom.1:17), from our initial faith in the gospel to our continued faith in the knowledge of the Word, applied to our daily walk. Our inheritance is the heavens, the spiritual realm, the things that are not of this world.

Now, why do I mention all this?

In Philippians, Paul warns us to be aware of dogs, to be aware of evil workers, and to be aware of the concision, which are those who would lead us into false doctrines and place emphasis on earthly things. Our world is becoming more evil, and deception is becoming more sly and crafty as it weaves into its doctrine the attractions of worldly things.

We, as grace believers, have only one thing to protect us from being pulled into the crafty deceits of religion, and that is a good, foundational knowledge of Paul's doctrine. Paul warns us to follow his example, and to mark, (for imitation, and associate with), them that do the same. The enemies of the cross of Christ are not easy to recognize in charisma and appearance, but there is one sure way to identify them, and that is their doctrine. Their doctrine promotes the attraction and diversion toward earthly things,

Php.3:17-19  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  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.)

Our only security is being grounded in the Word, and more specifically, the writings of Paul, our apostle. His writings will prevent us from being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, by the imaginations of evil workers who twist the truth and invent subtle doctrines, (Eph.4:14-15). Without a good foundational knowledge, believers cannot discern between men preaching the excellent knowledge of Christ (Php.1:10) and those preaching earthly things. 

People have this natural tendency that when they read "who mind earthly things", (Php.3:19), they assume a person is talking against things like drinking, and lusts, and swearing, or even supporting things like some new political campaign, or observances to trends, or technology, or other earthly matters. These things can sometimes take hold of us and whip up emotions and cause one to lose focus on true spiritual matters, but even more importantly, we must also be aware of more crafty and subtle religious diversions that sow doubt into one's faith or cause one to become sidetracked into false matters relating to supposed 'spiritual matters', as elaborated on in the verses below.

Consider the following passage,

Php.3:4-8  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:  5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;  6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  9  And be found in him, ...

In the above passage, Paul is speaking of things that he once boasted about, even while being under the law and doing what was right. All these things could be interpreted as being of excellent value in the context of our denominational church setup. To the religious man, these are things to be proud of, things that define success and godliness. However, Paul counts this as utter loss for the excellency of knowing Christ. All these religious status symbols are of little effect to Paul, who counts them all as dung, that he might win Christ, and be found in him. Friends, these are all signs of false doctrine. Exposing oneself to these things sets you on dangerous grounds.

Our doctrine and vocation are heavenward. Our purpose, and destiny has nothing to do with this world and its fleeting attractions and promises. To be caught up in a religion that promotes the attractions of this world is to be deceived into things that draw you away from Christ and His Body.

Let's compare the religious things that Paul mentions in the above passage in its proper context. Paul mentions him being an Israelite, of the stock of Benjamin. How does this relate to things in our day and age? Well, how about genealogies, to which Paul says the following,

• 1Tim.1:4  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
• Titus 3:9  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Paul said he was of the sect of the Pharisees. Could this not compare to denominational identity, or theological alignment? What's the context of circumcision? Well, in Galatians, this was identified as a work of the law, a carnal attempt to gain righteousness through performance. Are all these not religious things that drag us away from that which is spiritual, and that which is of the excellency of Christ?

Let us be on our guard in these deceitful times. Let us get into the Word of God and arm ourselves with the knowledge of our doctrine, so that we can be stable and grounded when these arrows of the enemy are fired at our minds. Find those who follow Paul and associate with them for support and counsel. Discard those things that align with this world and hold on to the true spiritual truths that Paul promotes.

Php.4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.