The title I used for this article is an exercise I had to repeatedly type in my high school typing class. It was supposed to exercise my fingers so I could become proficient at the skill of typing. In a similar way, what I have written below is to be exercised in our lives for the proficiency of our Christian conduct. The article is about foxes. Not the quick brown ones but the "little foxes" that are destructive sins in our lives and the life of our churches.
There are personal “little foxes;” sins that corrupt our hearts and spirits. These are those sinful natural desires and emotions that destroy our blossoming trust in God and our “good works” He intended for us to do. They impede our spiritual growth so that we do not come to fruitfulness. We must be diligent to catch these “little foxes” at their first appearance for, even if they seem small, they are very dangerous! We must put away every hindrance to good.
{Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, . . .”}
The “little foxes” left to run free, will multiply until they defile other’s vineyards, also. We must, as Christ’s ambassadors, oppose and prevent such spreading opinions and practices as will corrupt our beliefs, seduce our consciences, confuse our minds and block our turning to godly virtue and devotion. These “little foxes” will bring heresy and divisions into the Church, disturbing the peace and obstructing the progress of the gospel. “Little foxes” are not to be found in the Lord’s vineyards—not even named among us.
The Vinedresser has charged the caretakers and tenders of His vineyards to be diligent and quick to capture and prevent the “little foxes” from doing damage to His blossoming vines. Those who will not repent of their carelessness of My vineyards are like the farmers mentioned in Matthew 21:33-39, killing the Son again, putting Him up to shame and ridicule, so they can have their way.” Think about it.
{Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, . . .”}
The “little foxes” left to run free, will multiply until they defile other’s vineyards, also. We must, as Christ’s ambassadors, oppose and prevent such spreading opinions and practices as will corrupt our beliefs, seduce our consciences, confuse our minds and block our turning to godly virtue and devotion. These “little foxes” will bring heresy and divisions into the Church, disturbing the peace and obstructing the progress of the gospel. “Little foxes” are not to be found in the Lord’s vineyards—not even named among us.
The Vinedresser has charged the caretakers and tenders of His vineyards to be diligent and quick to capture and prevent the “little foxes” from doing damage to His blossoming vines. Those who will not repent of their carelessness of My vineyards are like the farmers mentioned in Matthew 21:33-39, killing the Son again, putting Him up to shame and ridicule, so they can have their way.” Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: Body life