The Dogs, The Evil Workers, The Concision

ALL Flesh is Grass

"BEWARE of dogs, BEWARE of evil workers, BEWARE of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

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: 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; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." Philippians 3:2-11

In the text above, Paul identifies "dogs", "evil workers", and those of the "concision" of whom the Body of Christ needs to be aware.  Paul doesn't use flowery terms to describe these individuals, nor is he mincing words.  His language indicates that he finds such persons to be a real threat to God's people in terms of their spiritual development and to their ultimately "winning Christ".  Yet, we find those of the concision on virtually every street corner in every city in the nation.

concision: a cutting up or off; mutilation.

circumcision: The surgical removal of part or all of the foreskin.

"Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked." Deuteronomy 10:16

Instead of cutting around the heart to remove that which defiles, the concision mutilates you, cutting you off from the very life of God.

Contrasted against these evil workers are those who - like Paul - are of the circumcision.  The Scripture tells us one major difference between these two groups of professing believers:

Those of the concision have their trust in the things of the flesh.  Their salvation is the product of who they are and what religious works they perform.  Contrarily, those of the circumcision have their trust in the Spirit of God.  Their salvation is the product of Jesus Christ alone.

What does it mean to glory in the flesh?  Paul names a couple of examples people boast in, falsely believing that such makes them more spiritual before God: 1) Their earthly heritage, position, & education or 2) Their keeping of the law.

Even today, there are groups battling over claims of being true "Hebrew Israelites" as if this is some token of authenticity of their faith.  Likewise, many in the churchworld believe they are more 'spiritual' based on being connected to the supposed 'men of God' in the church or having deep knowledge of religion and the original languages of Scripture.  They put confidence in being part of 'ABC' or '123' ministry, where Paul says in another text, "Is such not carnal?" (I Corinthians 3:4)

Another predominant way by which the concision attempts to cut off believers - according to Paul - is the law.  Paul says that such boast about being a keeper of the law and even argue about who is more blameless in doing so.  They trust in their own abilities to be righteous and struggle most of their lives to accomplish by the flesh what can only be performed by the Spirit of God.

Both of these things (trusting in one's earthly position or one's efforts to keep the law) are labeled by Paul as trusting in the flesh!  They are both ways by which dogs, evil workers, and those of the concision seek to ensnare those in the Body of Christ.  Yet Paul says all of such is dung.

Why?  Because anything which has its foundation in human qualities or human performance is of the flesh.  Man cannot procure his own salvation and neither can he add anything to it.  In fact, the minute he tries to add something to it, it brings a stench in the nostrils of Almighty God.  ALL of our righteousness, all of our good works - even lawful works, is like filthy rags to Him (Isaiah 64:6).

This is why the primary character trait that comes through in such persons is pride.  They are puffed up because their confidence about God is based entirely in themselves and in their works.  They have attained to their "own righteousness" rather than submitting to the righteousness of God.  As long as we believe that we bring anything to the table, then we will never be able to be led by God's Spirit.  Instead of generating life in others to draw them to the Lord, we will draw people only to ourselves and our personalities as we cut them off from Him.

How do we identify those of the concision?  What exactly is it that they do and why are their ways so deadly?  Better yet, how do you get free and stay free in the liberty in which Christ has called you to walk?  Listen to the following message from Pastor Gary Price as he teaches on, "Beware of the Concision".