Philippians 3 - Enemies of the Cross

Philippians 3:17-19 - ^"17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. ¹⁸For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things."

^"17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." - The best way to follow Paul's example is to read scripture and note what Paul did when he was confronted with certain situations. The best way to watch how others live according to Paul's pattern, is to find a church that you can be active in and surround yourself with Godly people who are living for Jesus. I am blessed to work at a church like that!

^"18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ." - Unfortunately, the Devil is real, contrary to what Deepak Chopra would tell you. His sole mission and aim in this world is to make people into the enemies of Christ. He doesn't care how much he has to wreck your life in order to get you to hate God. He doesn't care how much he has to hurt you in order for you to walk away. He hates God and he wants you to hate him also, but remember what God has in store for him. (Revelation 20:10)

^"19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame" - This is the fate of enemies of Christ - destruction; they will end up with ruined and broken lives. They follow their stomachs - think about that for a second. That means, when they feel the urge to do something, they do it. There is absolutely no self-control. No purpose. No integrity. They follow the desires of their flesh - whatever it wants, it gets. And the last part, their glory is in their shame, meaning - they will have no glory. It's all false.

"Their mind is on earthly things" - Here's the key. They follow their fleshly desires because they're focused on the here and now. They would rather follow their own selfish desires for one minute than obey God's commands, which ultimately lead to a better style of life anyway - and so they are bound for a destructive lifestyle.

You need to focus on the future, not the present. Live with God as your purpose.