Are You Being Sabotaged by Little Foxes?

To grow in faith, you must be tested. I’ve had a lifetime of tests—failing as many as I pass, I'm sure! Surprisingly, I have less difficulty managing the big tests in life than the little ones. After thinking long on this, I’ve figure out that when a big test of faith comes along, I am able to resign myself to the sovereignty of God. But the little tests (pop quizzes?) stumble me, revealing more about my ‘faith position’ than the big ones! It’s one thing to stand firm in your faith through a life-or-death crisis over which you have little control anyway; but it’s quite another thing to ‘remain’ in faith when some irksome driver is tailgating you on the freeway.

In Solomon’s Song, he refers to the “little foxes that spoil the vines” just as the vines begin to blossom (2:15). As the foxes attempt to eat the sweet blossoms that will become grapes, they not only limit fruitfulness, but spoil the vineyards by breaking and damaging the tender vines—not destroying them, but certainly stunting their growth. These little foxes hide and lurk about, doing their best to avoid detection—their best work at night, in the dark.

The little foxes are the little trials that do not destroy our faith, but certainly sabotage it—preventing increase, stealing our peace and joy, and causing discontent. Just as these little foxes need to be caught and driven out of the vineyard, so we need to be quick to “take every thought [every saboteur] captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Co. 10:5). These saboteurs will always show up just as you begin to make spiritual progress. Let us catch the little foxes that are spoiling our fruitfulness and fellowship with Jesus.