I am currently going through something that I wish I did not have to go through. But, I can do nothing about it right now....just endure. I have been forced to change some things, develop some patience, grow in my faith, just to name a few. Rest assured that when we are going through something painful or tough, our enemy is going to try to use that to his advantage. My frustration level has been higher than normal, I have at times been angry at my lack of control and at times ponder some questions that I really didn't have a business pondering to begin with.
Here's the confession- the Holy Spirit, faithful friend that He is, convicted me on the spot when my spirit was headed in an unhealthy direction. I recognized His voice and, by the way, I agreed with Him whole heartily....but I didn't confess it at the very moment. Instead, while I agreed with His assessment of the situation, I just wanted to hang on to my questions, frustrations and anger a little longer. Perhaps it seemed fair-(I don't even really know what that means)- perhaps I thought I deserved to be this way and so I was gonna be this way just a little longer. Oh, I had no desire to hang on to my thoughts and feelings forever....but just a "little longer". That had to be music to the ears of Satan.
About a week ago- I found myself my feelings of anger, frustration, and my questions had grown a little bit. Then, the light went on! I saw what was going on. Just like someone who has a small infection but doesn't get treated until they have a big infection, I had failed to take care of my sinful attitudes and feelings that were now starting to grow roots and try to make my heart their home.
My mind went back to a sermon that my pastor preached when I was about 8 years old. Even now, I remember it like it was yesterday. It came from this verse:
Song of Solomon 2:15- Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. (KJV)
The "little foxes" do the damage! How does this apply to us in our everyday life?
We don't have to be Biblical scholars to know about those "big" sins- murder, adultery, theft, pornography just to name a few. If you have served in ministry for any length of time, you have probably placed safeguards in your life in order to not become entangled in these sins.
But what about those "little foxes"- those petty sins that we let go unchecked because after all no one knows, it won't hurt anyone, and there's plenty of people out their doing worse things than what you're doing.
That is what happened to me- I have safeguarded myself throughout my life in order to stay away from certain situations that might lead me into one of those "big sins". However, I had not safeguarded my attitude. And probably, sad to say, I used those excuses I just listed above. Because I failed to stop in my tracks the moment the Holy Spirit called me on it, in no time I saw a bitter root trying its best to take up residence. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit would not let go and kept hammering home the point. I then pulled that root and confessed to God that I had not given to Him what He demands and what He is worthy of, immediate whole hearted obedience.
What are the little foxes in your life today? Please pay attention to them. I have never counseled a woman who just fell into some "big sin". The story comes out and I learn that there were "little foxes" that were unchecked and now that lady had found herself dealing with much bigger problems. It's the little fox of neglecting conversing with our Heavenly Father on a regular basis, the little fox of certain TV shows or music or movies, the little fox of gossip that will sooner or later come back to bite you.
Look at King David- What Christian doesn't know about his adultery, and his murder. What was the little fox? He was not where he was supposed to be. When he should have been at war, he was at home. When he should have turned his eyes away after seeing Bathsheba, he gazed on her beauty and from there it was all down hill.
Look at Lot- He looked toward Sodom and the beautiful land, he pitched his tent near Sodom and shortly thereafter he is in Sodom and in trouble.
Read Psalm 1- The progression is interesting in the very first verse as it reads
"Blessed is the man that WALKETH not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor STANDETH in the way of sinners, nor SITTETH in the seat of the scornful.
Walk- that's not commitment- you're still on your feet, and you can run. Standing- . You're getting relaxed, standing still... and soon you are sitting.....and soon you're in trouble
Little foxes will destroy the fruit that the Holy Spirit wants to produce in you. Don't let little foxes limit how God can use you- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you those "little foxes" that are lurking around you waiting for their opportunity and then take safeguards so that they are caught before they cause you pain and stunt your spiritual growth.
