A sad but amazing truth emerges in Philippians 3:18. Paul admonishes the good brethren at Philippi to be aware of those who walk as enemies of the cross. It appears, though it is not specifically stated, that Paul was referring to brethren who had gone astray. Nevertheless, some were walking in such a way that made them enemies of the cross of our Lord.

If there is one way you do not want to walk, it is as an enemy of the cross of Christ. To those who do, their end, Paul says, is destruction (Philippians 3:19). The word destruction refers to loss or ruin, and Vines says, “the idea is not extinction…not of being, but of well-being.” (Vine). Paul gives us a description of those who walk accordingly, giving us a way to avoid such a walk.

“Their god is their belly.” This means that they were living their lives with the purpose of satisfying their own desires. Self-gratification became the god of their lives. If one man understood that kind of living, it was Solomon. In an attempt to try to find true fulfillment, he spent a considerable amount of his fortune satisfying the flesh. In the end, he found no satisfaction.

Ecclesiastes 2:1 (ESV)
¹ I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity.”

“They glory in their shame.” The word “glory” is doxa. It refers to praise, honor, or worship. The point of it is that those, who walk as enemies of the cross, are proud of a lifestyle that brings them shame in the eyes of others. Their actions should be something that they are ashamed of themselves. We live in a world filled with people like that; people who should be ashamed of their scanty attire, but, instead, take pride in it; people who curse, using filthy language, but, instead of being embarrassed, they delight in the reaction they receive from others. Now, while the world is filled with people like this, Paul seems to be referring to members of the church, which is doubly shameful because it involves hypocrisy as well. Sadly, some of God’s people have always acted in such a way. Listen to Jeremiah describe it.

Jeremiah 6:15 (ESV)
¹⁵ Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore, they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the LORD.

“Minds set on earthly things.” Here is the final description that Paul gives of those who walk in such a shameful way. They are usually, if not always, carnal-minded. Instead of having the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), their focus is on this world. With that kind of mindset, it is impossible to please God.

Romans 8:7-8 (ESV)
⁷ For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those, who are in the flesh, cannot please God.

There are very few things worse than being an enemy of the cross. The cross is where the price for our sins was paid by our Savior (Hebrews 2:9). True Christians are not enemies of the cross, we glory in it (1 Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 6:14). Let us all make sure that our walk is one that is pleasing to God, not one that puts us into the category of an enemy of the cross.

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.