Enemies Of The Cross

The apostle Paul wrote the Philippian church and warned them of some who were “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18).  In the context of this passage he did not mention any specific group, but was reminding them of earlier warnings. Today there are also many enemies of the cross.  We, as soldiers of the Lord, must be vigilant in our watching and warning about these enemies.  So who are some of the enemies of the cross today?

False teachers within the church are the first group to be considered.   Jesus warned about them in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”  Prophets were the inspired proclaimers of God’s word; but false prophets were known to disguise their appearance so as to appear as faithful to God, when in fact they were not.  Peter warned about their existence also in 2 Peter 2:1,2, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”  Their danger is “damnable heresies”, heresies which damn the soul when believed and practiced.

Paul also warned about false teachers in I Timothy 4:1,2: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”  Notice that these “speak lies in hypocrisy,” teach false doctrine as if it is true all the while knowing it is false.  Additionally, the Lord warned about blind leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:14).  Blind leaders are those who take a leading position in teaching but simply accept what they were taught without and serious examination and then teach others.  The consequence, Jesus said, is this: “if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14).

False teachers, whether willfully teaching false doctrine as those in 1 Timothy 4 or ignorantly as those Jesus mentioned in Matthew 15:14, are enemies of our Lord. Their teaching is contrary to the truth revealed by Jesus and is therefore opposed to Him and is damnable.  Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31,32) The false teacher, false prophet, and the blind leader all teach that which is contrary to the truth revealed by Jesus and His chosen apostles.  Be vigilant in watching for those who are enemies of the Lord because their teaching is not according to the truth.