Beware of the foxes

Scripture:

Song of Solomon 2:15
(NIV) Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

Song of Solomon 2:15 (TM) Then you must protect me from the foxes, foxes on the prowl, Foxes who would like nothing better than to get into our flowering garden.

Observation:

The "little foxes" are an example of the kinds of problems that can disturb or destroy a relationship. The lovers wanted anything that could potentially cause problems between them to be removed. Often the "little foxes" cause the biggest problems in marriage. These irritations must not be minimized or ignored but identified so that, together, the couple can deal with them.

Application:

On Colorado's Long Peak, lies the remains of a giant 400-year-old tree. Age, storms and avalanches couldn't bring it down. What did? A tiny beetle you could crush under your foot. It ate right through the bark and devoured its heart.

Be careful, it's the little foxes that ruin the vineyards. Little attitudes; but if you practice them often enough, they become fixed attitudes. Little indulgences; but if you give place to them long enough, they desensitise you to sin. Remember when certain things bothered you? Now you don't give them a second thought. You're being desensitised!

Alcoholic start by telling themselves, "I can handle it." Every victim of Internet pornography (and they're getting younger every day), started with a look, got hooked on a fantasy and ended up uncaging a tiger that: (a) can devour them; (b) will never willingly go back into its cage.

Before a moral problem got out of hand in the Corinthian church, Paul hit it head on:

"I also received a report… One of your men is sleeping with his step-mother. And you're so above it all that it doesn't even faze you… You pass it off as a small thing, but it's anything but that. Yeast, too, is a 'small thing,' but it works its way through a whole batch… get rid of this 'yeast'" (1 Corinthians 5:1-7 TM). Strong language!

Why does God make such a big deal out of this anyway? Because sin hurts us and anything that hurts one of His children, makes Him angry.

I read the following LOVE LETTER from a website entitled "Journals of the heart." I went so well with God was speaking into my heart today so I wanted to include it here:

My precious branch, subtle little foxes come into your life with the intent of robbing our abiding relationship. You must be on constant guard and the best way to do this is to abide in Me moment by moment. It isn't hard. Just to think on My name or speak it is enough. After all, My name is above all names. My name is above all things. Therefore, when you struggle with the necessities of life and long to be with Me, just cry out or even whisper My name and see what I will do.

Ultimately these little foxes destroy, or cut off fruit. The destruction doesn't always show right away. In time however, like a beautiful bouquet, wilting takes place. Being disconnected from the vine like a vase full of flowers will eventually produce a disheartened soul. Your soul needs your spirit to be connected to the vine in such a way to receive infusions of My life-giving nutrients. When separated from Me, little foxes have a way of plucking the life out of our relationship and produce outward manifestations of dryness which represent the inner workings of the heart.

Dehydration takes place when you don't abide in Me, and as a result, the soul feels free to express itself with unkind words and deeds. This robs the garden I called you to be and brings barrenness, guilt and shame to the core of your being (Isaiah: 58:11). This is where the enemy of your soul compounds the situation with guilt, causing you to flee, instead of hiding in Me. Let it never be. Instead you must run to Me, not from Me. Don't hide in unfruitful or barren places. There is no covering there. Confess, repent and draw near. It is the only way to re-hydrate and build up your spirit man. Attach yourself to the vine of My presence and be renewed.

An understanding and revelation of My nature and that of My Father will keep you attached. And you get this by being in the Word and by being with Us. We are your safe place.

You see, the very moment I observe an area of darkness, a hindrance, or weakness trying to separate us I am there with My pruning knife to cut it away. Have I not said, "Nothing can separate you from Me?" The whole time I am pruning, I am cleansing with great mercy and grace. Each time I prune, new tender shoots of fruit-producing growth sprout up in abundance, strengthening our relationship and your own perception of self.

Yes, each and every time I touch you, your revelation of Me grows and a deeper abiding is the result. This brings delight to your heart and gives you courage. I press you onward to your high calling in Me. It cuts off any harmful effects of the past and puts them where they belong; in the past. Remember; don't let the little foxes push you away. Defy them; defeat them by coming after Me in hot pursuit. Counteract the schemes of the enemy by running to the only safe place—Me.

Prayer:

"Lord, please help me to be aware of the "little foxes" that will slow, surely and effectively destroy the vine, which represents my connection with you, the Vine. When that relationship is effected, so is the fruit that comes from that connection and relationship. I want to see fruit in my life, fruit that comes from me "abiding in You and Your Word abiding in me." That is my choice and purpose for this day. Holy Spirit, please show me the foxes in my life so I can catch them and destroy them. In Jesus name, amen!"