Who Let the Dogs Out!

Today I’d like to reflect on “dogs” and “doors.”

After the Fall of Adam, Cain’s murder of Abel is the next recorded sin in the Bible. Cain was angry at God, but God, in His mercy, warns Cain “sin is crouching [or lying] at the door” and if he does not repent, it will master him.

“Sin is crouching at the door” is a great word picture. The phrase brings to mind the familiar image of a dog. Years ago, I had an old English sheep dog that would lie by the front door waiting for me to take him out. He wasn’t just passively lying, he was ‘crouching,’ ready to pounce the moment the door was opened. However, he was not the master; I was. And the door remained closed until I opened it. Once the door was opened, he was out the door and "in control" (or should I say "out of control").

Is the Holy Spirit telling us sin is like a DOG lying in wait, ready to master us? If so, the DOOR is the opening for sin and Satan. Paul says we should NOT give an “opening” or a “place” to the devil. (Eph. 4:27).

Even more to the point of today’s analogy, Paul says, “Beware of the dogs” (Phil. 3:2). In Paul’s day, packs of wild dogs roamed the streets scavenging for food—they would even attack a human. Paul is comparing “dogs” to “scavengers” roaming the Church to disturb the peace. This analogy is not too dissimilar from the “prowling lions…seeking someone to devour” that Peter warns of (1 Pet. 5:8). In both analogies, we are warned of their intentions to harm and/or master us.

When you are feeling irritated, frustrated, or angry, remember that “sin is crouching at the door.” So be careful. Don’t let it master you. Don’t let the dogs out!