The Tribune

By Pastor Matthew Allen

There’s a popular Bahamian secular song entitled “Dogs don’t bark at park cars” as a kingdom minded citizen, when listening to this song one can very easily see or hear the scripture being clearly laid out.

It is common knowledge that dogs do not bark at parked cars, but it is clear to see or understand that the song is not only speaking literally. It is also talking about the dog like character of most people, which is similar to the dog references in the bible.

The dog is a domesticated animal that can be trained to do practically whatever its trainer desires it to do. With this in mind, I would like for you to go with me as I explore the dog like character of some people we encounter on a daily basis.

Here is a classic case of this dog like character at work: As long as you are on the same level or in the same kind of situation as some people, they have no problem with you; but God forbid that you seek to change your situation for the better or seek to progress to the next level in life. The folks who know of your tests, trials and struggles will often be the very ones to display the dog like character against you.

They will gossip about you (bark) and backbite you every opportunity they get. That is if and when you try to better yourself. As long as you were parked in the same miserable position, the dogs will not bark at you.

Rather, they love the idea of having you around to participate in the daily murmuring and complaining.

Meanwhile, they constantly connive and scheme against one another for the crumbs, scraping and hand-outs from the tables of those who are living a better lifestyle.

It is never a good thing to argue or fuss with a dog (persons with a dog like character). The best thing that you can do for yourself is to leave such character alone, because they are unhappy and miserable. And as the saying goes, “Misery loves company”.

Sometimes, this dog like character can be found in and among close knitted family members (living under the same roof), among co-workers, among so-called friends and even among those of the household of faith.

There are even dogs in church leadership who hide behind d religious titles like apostle, bishop, doctor, pastor, prophet. These wicked men have perfected the art of twisting the scriptures for their selfish, financial gain and manipulating as many as possible to submit to their teachings. And in most cases the largest percentage of their followers are women.

What do you do when this character shows up or is discovered? Do not allow the dog like character to pull you down its desired path.

Let us go to the scriptures and take a closer look. The word “dog” is mentioned ten times in the Bible: nine times in the Old Testament and one time in the New Testament. Likewise the word “dogs” is mentioned twenty-four times in the Bible: sixteen times in the Old Testament and eight times in the New Testament.

Phil.3: 2. Watch out for those dogs, those wicked men and their evil deeds, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.

2 Tim.3: 6. They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by many desires. : 7. Such women are forever following new teachings, but they never understand the truth.

What we are seeing in today’s church and amongst its leaders is nothing new, as the scriptures clearly speak to and against that which is going on. Many members of today’s church are just too lazy, gullible and having itching ears; and it does not take much for the ulterior motives of religious leaders to swing this segment of the church.

In the eyes of those persons who refuse to study the word of God for themselves thereby enabling them to rightly divide the word of truth, they will forever see and esteem these types of religious leaders as men of God.

But, in the eyes of God, he sees them as dogs, ravenous wolves.

Here is how the Prophet Isaiah describes them: Isa.56: 11. And they are as greedy as dogs, never satisfied. They are stupid shepherds, all following their own path, all of them intent on personal gain.

Beware, watch-out for those dog.

For questions or comments email pastormallen@yahoo.com.