Little Foxes
Our vineyards are in blossom; we must catch the little foxes that destroy the vineyards. — Song of Solomon 2:15
But I tell you that whoever is angry with his brother will be guilty and have to suffer for his wrong-doing. Whoever says to his brother, ‘You have no brains,’ will have to stand in front of the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be sent to the fire of hell. — Matthew 5:22
Author
Nancy G. Marquez
Summary: We must watch out for small attitudes and compromises that seem insignificant, because they can undermine the foundation of our lives and ultimately damage their beauty and fruitfulness. Like the little foxes that ruined the vineyards, a lie can grow into deceit, and an offense can produce a root of bitterness. Nor should we forget that serious sins begin within: Jesus pointed to lust behind adultery and anger behind murder. If we neglect these things, they will affect our relationship with God, our marriage, family, church, and community. The wise believer pays attention, takes precautions, and remains watchful before the damage grows.
Beware of the little things that seem insignificant but, over time, can bring about our ruin! It is important that we pay attention to the things that seek to enter our lives, that undermine the foundation that has been established, and that do not seem to have any influence, but in the long run damage our existence. In the book of the Song of Songs, Chapter 2, the Bible tells us about the "little foxes" that ruin the vineyards. These little foxes would enter the vineyards through holes they dug beneath the fences, since they undermined the foundation; they ruined the beauty and productivity of the vineyard.
As wise believers, we must prevent certain mistakes:
First Mistake: Overlooking the little things—When we overlook the little things, it is like walking along a beautiful path filled with fragrant flowers with a tiny pebble in our shoe. It is like trying to look at a beautiful sunset with a tiny speck of dirt in our eye.
Second Mistake: Forgetting that little things have the capacity to grow—A white lie has the capacity to become a great deception. A small offense has the capacity to become a great root of bitterness that defiles many.
Third Mistake: Ignoring that little things are born within us—Big things are only a reflection of what is inside. In Jesus’ day, the religious people were very strict about the laws, and anyone caught committing adultery had to pay with death (by stoning). Jesus came hunting little foxes and said, “Anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her in his heart has already committed adultery against her” (Matt. 5:27–28). The Pharisees emphasized the law that said, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment” (Matt. 5:21–22), but Jesus came hunting little foxes and said, “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.”
Just as the beauty and productivity of a vineyard were diminished by an invasion of little foxes, so too it is those things we neglect that destroy the beauty and productivity of our own lives and our relationship with God, our marital relationships, our family relationships, our relationships as a church, as a community, and as a family of faith.
Have you been able to detect any of these little foxes shaking you? A wise believer is careful and keeps watch so as not to allow little foxes that would ruin his life to enter.