Beastly Characters

"If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die." (I Corinthians 15: 52)

What beasts fought with Paul? Were they real animals in a coliseum? Or were they humans who were, in behavior, animals? Paul fought with people. In preaching the gospel, Paul struggled with people who were "beastly characters."

All sinners are beastly, spiritually speaking. Some sinners are simply more beastly and wild than others. Wrote the apostles Peter and Jude:

"But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption." (II Peter 2: 12)

"But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves." (Jude 1: 10)

Though metaphoric, yet it is no exaggeration or hyperbole, to say that sinful men are beastly characters. Men are indeed animals in their spiritual natures because of sin and alienation from God.

Some may "act out" their depraved natures more than others, but all have a beastly, wild and ferocious, and depraved nature, resembling the lowest of animals. Others are able to have greater self-control and so keep these animalistic urges and habits to a minimum.

"One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. " (Titus 1: 12, 13)

The Cretians are "evil beasts," even by a witness of their own. It is true, says Paul. The meaning being, "they are very base and immoral people." They were no doubt "barbaric."

Several "unclean" animals are used in scripture to symbolize the sinful nature of fallen man.

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7: 15)

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10: 16)

"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." (Acts 20: 29)

Though "sheep" is an emblem of the nature of believers, the wolf is a fitting emblem of the ravenous nature of rebellious man, of unbelievers. Also too is the nature of sinners compared to that of "dogs."

"For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet...Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog." (Psalm 22: 16, 20)

This is from a "Messianic Psalm." It is a prophetic picture of the death of Christ upon the cross. Those who gathered around Christ, during his trial, and who took part in his mocking, beatings, and final crucifixion, and who cried "crucify him, crucify him," and who said, "we will not have this man to rule over us," are the "dogs" mentioned in the Psalm.

The life of sinners and hypocrites is very much like that of dogs. Even sinners themselves use the metaphor often in referring to other sinners who they judge are more beastly than themselves - "he's a dog!"

"They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city." (Psalm 59: 6, 14)

These kinds of individuals are described by Luke as "lewd fellows of the baser sort." (Acts 17: 5)

"As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly." (Proverbs 26: 11)

"But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." (II Peter 2: 22)

This is a little different kind of spiritual "dog." There are varieties of dogs. But, a dog is still a dog, no matter what his kind. The kind of spiritual dog, in the above verses, are the hypocrites, or temporary believers, who become professing Christians and quickly and easily "fall away," and "returning" to their former sinful lifestyle.

"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (Matthew 7: 6)

"But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs...And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." (Matthew 15: 26, 27)

"Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." (Philippians 3: 2)

These verses continue to warn of false teachers and seducers, referring to them and their practices, as being like the unclean dog and the wild and ravening wolf.

Depraved sinners are also like the stubborn mule or wild ass, and like the stupid ox.

"For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt." (Job 11: 12)

"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." (Isaiah 1: 3)

Friend, do you know the Lord? Do you wish a new nature, one tamed and controlled by the Lord for good? Would you rather be one of the Lord's sheep or one of the wolves or dogs? Will you be spiritually like the wild ass and the dumb ox and remain ignorant of your God and Creator?

"For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." (Revelation 22: 15)

Only sheep will be saved and enjoy eternal life. Dogs, wolves, and spiritual asses will not enter the kingdom of God and Heaven.

"For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion." (Ecclesiastes 9: 4)

If you are lost, you are a dog and pig in your nature. But, if you are alive, there is yet hope that you may come to the Lord and receive of him a new nature, and experience a spiritual metapmorphesis.