Little Foxes, the small sins that ruin
Some years ago, we caught sight of this little cross fox near the Star Lake Fishing Resort, Clearwater, BC. He saw us coming down the road and hid, but his curiosity got the better of him, and he peeked up again to look at the car for a moment. It isn’t a great shot, but it’s the only one I could get.
There is a warning about foxes in the poetic book “Song of Songs.” Solomon warns the reader: “Seize the foxes for us, the little foxes that are wreaking destruction on the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Songs 2:15
That’s generally understood as a warning against seemingly small problems or behaviors that might strain the couple’s relationship. We all have them, the things about us that irritate and annoy our loved ones. Or maybe it’s only me that has them, but I don’t think so.
A similar thing can happen in our spiritual journey. All sorts of things can creep into our lives without our notice and cause us to stumble, slow our growth and hinder our witness.
Bitterness, envy, petty jealousy, lustful thoughts, and more can appear seemingly out of nowhere. They might seem small at first, but they can grow into huge stumbling blocks. They can tell us a great deal about the state of our hearts.
Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord, seeing to it that no one falls short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; Hebrews 12:14-15
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up]what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
I’m sure you can think of many more little foxes than can creep into our lives. We must be honest with ourselves, recognize the foxes and confess them as sin to the LORD.
What Foxes are in your garden? Catch them and root them out.
Be blessed
Kevin
SUMMARY
I once spotted a shy little cross fox near Star Lake, and it got me thinking about Solomon’s warning against the little foxes that spoil the vineyard. This devotional looks at the small sins, bitterness, envy, petty jealousy, lustful thoughts, that creep into our lives unnoticed and slowly hinder our walk with God.
TAKEAWAY
Solomon’s warning in Song of Songs 2:15 about little foxes destroying the vineyard applies directly to small sins in our spiritual lives.
Bitterness, envy, jealousy and lustful thoughts often start small but grow into real stumbling blocks if left unchecked.
Hebrews 12:14-15, Ephesians 4:29 and 1 Corinthians 15:33 all point to the same call: root out what’s quietly corrupting your walk before it spreads.