TAKE US THE LITTLE FOXES THAT SPOIL THE VINES
Song 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
1. Preface
This Bible verse has some spiritual teachings. In addition to pointing out the importance of one's spiritual nurture, it is also closely related to a church's evolution. We all know that the love described in the Songs of Solomon is the relationship of the Lord Jesus Christ with the church. Their love is described as a perfect match in all tender lovingness. Apart from describing the handsomeness of the groom and beauty of the bride, analogies are also drawn using flora and fauna to paint a picture of the veracity, goodness and beauty of the church.
In the Bible, “grapes” refers to individual believers, “vineyard” refers to the church and “fruit of the grapes” refers to virtues possessed by the church and her believers. According to the Lord Jesus Christ, men cannot gather grapes of thorns. In other words, a bad person is unable to manifest good virtues. Therefore, the highest standard of nobleness for true Christians and the true spiritual church is virtuousness.
2. The Grapevine Must Be Tended To
Jhn 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
The vine that has been destroyed certainly cannot bear fruits. As it is weaker than other plants, the vine requires constant care and pruning in order to bear fruits. Since many believers have been born again, why have they not borne more fruits?
The reason is because there is a destructive force causing havoc in the vineyard. The destructive force is just like a little fox, an invader of the vineyard. Due to the fox’s small physique, people often dismiss the harm that it can potentially cause. However, the Bible records that a little leaven can leaven the whole lump. Likewise, a little fox can destroy a whole vineyard, thus causing the vineyard to fail to bear much fruits.
3. What Are These Little Foxes?
There are many foxes in Palestine that often destroy causing troubles to farmers. Foxes are extremely cunning, sly and suspicious. They live in foxholes, lying in wait during the day and only emerging at night. They are good at stealing food and love eating grapes. Aesop's Fables tells of how a fox comforted itself by saying that the grapes that were out of its reach were sour when it was unable to eat them.
When the Lord Jesus Christ was ministering on earth, He said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Matt 8:20). The Lord Jesus Christ called Herod a fox for Jews often equate cunning people with foxes.
Luke 13:31-32 31The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying. unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
There is a Chinese proverb concerning how the fox relies on the ferocity of the tiger to bully other animals, precisely because of its cunning tendencies. According to the Bible, the snake is subtler than any beast of the field that God had created. This is why it is most susceptible to possession by the devil and was made use of to tempt Eve into sinning.
Gen 3:1-2 1Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
All who are cunning are most susceptible to possession by the devil, to become a tool that entices people. Foxes are animals so it is not their nature to seduce and entice humans unless evil spirits possess them. A person with an overtly cunning personality will certainly serve as the most favoured tool for the devil. Therefore, we must first dispose of our cunning hearts in our spiritual nurture work so as to be a guileless and forthright man like Nathanael. Only then will we be rewarded by the Lord Jesus Christ and be chosen by Him. It will also be easier for us to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for progress of our spiritual nurture work.
Jhn 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
Our ancestors have said that it is easy to eradicate the thieves in the mountains, but it is difficult to eradicate the thieves within our hearts. Likewise, it is easy to capture the foxes in the fields, but it is difficult to capture the foxes in our hearts.
4. Fleshly Lusts Are Just Like The Little Foxes
The invisible little foxes are active within the hearts of believers; they are the lusts buried within the fleshly hearts of believers.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
As believers have repented, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, received the correct mode of water baptism to be born again and received the Holy Spirit, they should be able to practise self-restraint and not commit great sins. However, their fleshly lusts are still present for they have yet to crucify their fleshly bodies and the lusts of the flesh. Therefore, there are many fleshly lusts that are active in their hearts. They may misconstrue that these wrongdoings are insignificant and thus, fail to eradicate them.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
For example, common bad habits such as smoking, drinking, dancing and watching movies are not thought of as great sins. Rather, they are perceived as hobbies, leisure activities and entertainment that do not affect salvation. However, they give the little foxes the chance to continue to create chaos. Furthermore, believers are unaware that their apathy to these bad habits actually encourages the little foxes to become more unruly by the day. Although this will not cause the grapevine to collapse immediately, the little foxes will continue to run helter-skelter and tug on the vines, causing destruction to the branches and the leaves and destroying the flowers that are due for fruition. They may also eat unripe fruits, leaving no ripe fruits to be harvested. This is one of the reasons why a typical believer may not be able to perform well in terms of godliness and holiness. In addition, these little foxes are pluralistic; one vine may have many foxes causing havoc, resulting in more severe damage.
There are fleshly lusts that are malicious such as jealousy, greed, pride, bad temperament, gluttony and sexual cravings. These are not mere bad habits. They may not be apparent from the surface, but are in fact hidden within us and are waiting for an opportunity to jump into action.
Psa 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting
Only those with spiritually sharp vision will be able to perceive this. For example, the Lord Jesus Christ rebuked the greedy and unrepentant Judas many times for He was aware of the latter’s intention to betray Him. Other examples include the manner in which John and James were angered because the Samaritans refused to receive the Lord Jesus Christ.
John and James asked the Lord Jesus Christ to command fire to come down from heaven and consume the Samaritans. They even felt justified in their wrath despite their evil intentions. The Lord Jesus Christ revealed their wrongdoings and rebuked them saying, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of" (Luke 9:52-55). Hence, we must not be like John and James but be conscious of the activities of the little foxes within our hearts.
There are believers who are just like the proud little foxes for they take advantage of the powers of authorities, rely on wealth, superior status, distinguished knowledge, exceptional talent, experience and fame. They look down on those who are weaker than them and feel superior when they receive praises for achievements in their careers. The Bible tells us that Satan sought to elevate himself and did not keep to his position of authority for he became dissatisfied with it. As a result, God caused him to fall from above. This is why there is an English saying “it was pride that changed angels into devils, it is humility that makes men as angels”.
Proud people will base their pride on something. The little fox may be able to stand tall and proud before other beasts because it relies on the ferocity of the tiger standing behind it. This is why many cunning men or women who are backed by someone with authority are proud and indulgent.
For example, the wicked woman, Jezebel relied on the fact that the king pampered her. She was proud and indulged in all manner of wicked deeds such as creating idols publicly, murdering prophets and plotting to take over Naboth’s vineyard. Besides that, another example is that of Haman who also relied on how he found favour in the king’s sight and thought highly of himself. He insisted that everyone bow down to worship him. He sought to kill all Jews just because a single Jew (Mordecai) refused to bow down to him. As a result, Jezebel and Haman met tragic ends.
Therefore, those who are in favour should not be proud or rely on the authority of others to sin. It will be a great tragedy when God’s wrath befall them for they will lose favour and authority, their names will be tarnished and they will meet tragic ends. These Biblical teachings help us understand that we must never have proud, arrogant, presumptuous and ambitious hearts.
5. False Brothers Active In The Church
Next, we must be even more cautious of the little foxes’ activities in church. This refers to the typical cunning and sly false brethren (i.e. those who are not quiet and submissive but love to stir up strife). They are manipulated by the devil easily to stir up enmity, spread gossips and drive wedges between believers in order to cause strife and disturbance in the church. As the saying goes, “the man who comes to argue about rights and wrongs is usually the wrongdoer himself”.
Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
People who are just like the little foxes tend to be superficial. They are boastful, for they are jealous of the achievements of others and are psychologically affected by those with higher positions and reputations than themselves. Their embarrassment over their self-perceived incompetence eventually turns into wrath.
For example, Saul was greatly jealous that his people ascribed ten thousands to David. This caused the evil spirit to descend on Saul, turning David into his sworn enemy. In reality, when did David wrong Saul?
David fought against strong enemies for Saul and resolved the nation’s crisis. But, Saul did not appreciate this man who had served loyally and had performed great deeds. Rather, he sought to kill David for he was blinded by jealousy. Saul was defeated and beheaded as a result of a rash decision made in a split-second. On the other hand, David maintained his humility and kind heart; so God was with him and gave him peace wherever he went. As such, we can see that it only takes a split-second to determine one’s blessed or tragic fate that leads to glory or shame.
If we do not reign over our fleshly lusts, they will be just like the little foxes that keep reproducing. As such, from pride, jealousy is born and from jealousy, strife is born. From strife, defamation is born and from defamation, wrath is born. From wrath, disturbance is born and from disturbance, destruction is born. Through a single person, fleshly lusts may spread within a church, and from a church in one area to a church in another area. The consequences will be dreadful, for the vineyard will encounter disturbances and end up with great destructions at all areas.
Generally, the devil likes to utilize those who are proud, prone to jealousy, cunning, suspicious and talented. They are good workers of God and good at organizing church activities. They may be highly esteemed by others, owing to their talents and may be chosen to take on important roles in the church. However, the emphasis on their talents over virtues is detrimental to the church. As they are not virtuous, their talents and intelligence might be used on things that are not lawful and cause the church to reap detriment before she can reap any benefits. They often pretend to treat others in earnestness and serve the Lord Jesus Christ in diligence but these deeds are often done to create a false impression.
Gal 4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
Luke 18:12, 14lp 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 14… … for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
These people do not sacrifice themselves to take up the cross earnestly and do not love the Lord Jesus Christ and one another sincerely. Rather, they do so in order to gain fame and authority to satisfy their superficial hearts and thirst for leadership. They will become upset, reject their holy duties and rarely attend church services when they lose their important positions and fame in church. They use godliness as a means of achieving their own benefits and appear to work for the church in all earnestness. They may even provide monetary support but in reality, these are all a part of their plot to become leaders and kings of the church.
We know that the spiritual true church is different from worldly churches. No individual can be head or king of a church, for the head and the king is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Bible records, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. (1 Cor 3:5); Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; (1 Cor 3:21).
“For all things are yours” refers to believers’ authorities and positions in the church. The Bible further records “And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.” (1 Cor 3:23)
This Bible verse clearly indicates that the true church belongs to the chief, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and does not belong to any individual.
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Believers must be submissive to the Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings and the working of the Holy Spirit instead of obeying the commands of an individual.
Rom 12:16-17 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Elders and deacons are not appointed for the sake of controlling believers, but to be role models for the sheep. They are appointed to manage church affairs and are responsible for preaching, shepherding and teaching the flock.
1 Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Deacons are also brothers-in-Christ in the Spirit. Hence, they are not individuals on a higher plane. For example, John says “I John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation”. He did not boast or elevate himself but instead took pride in claiming his position as a brother, which is a friendlier position.
Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This has fulfilled the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we are all brethren.
Matt 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Today, someone having become a deacon may think that he is a great person on the highest tier of the church and may perceive believers to be under his control and on the lower tiers. However, this proud and arrogant mentality is against the teachings and example set by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 10:42-43 42But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Jhn 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
6. Steps To Capture The Little Foxes
Individuals may fall if they do not restrain their fleshly lusts. Their insufficient spiritual nurture may affect the progress of the church. Therefore, we must not take greed, pride and jealousy lightly for they are great destructive forces that threaten individuals and the church.
We cannot be indifferent to the activities of the little foxes for the fate of the church hinges on a split-second decision, that if we fail to practise restraint conscientiously from the beginning, these small lusts (i.e. the hyperactive little foxes) will cause havoc that leads to destructions that become more obvious by the day.
How does one take (capture) the little foxes?
These steps seem easy but are, in fact, difficult to achieve.
6.1 You must be clear of your limits – be aware of our limits.
Our ancestors have said that it is easy to eradicate the thieves in the mountains, but it is difficult to eradicate the thieves within our hearts.
If one is unaware of the thieves in his heart, how then can he eradicate them?
Thus, self-awareness is crucial. Paul mentions:
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Paul’s sense of self-awareness is a crucial key in spiritual nurture work, for he who is blind in his heart is unable to recognise himself. The Lord Jesus Christ referred to “the light that is in thee”. This light does not light up our external selves but internal selves.
Matt 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
The foolish hearts of the Gentiles are darkened for they lack understanding. Having believed in Him, the Lord Jesus Christ shines a light (the Holy Spirit) into our hearts to enlighten the eyes of our hearts.
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
This light enables us to understand and to be conscious of the existence of the wicked beings (the little foxes) that are lying in wait within our fleshly bodies. We may have accumulated them through ideas and plans of bodily lusts that have become active within our darkened understanding.
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
The eyes of our hearts will become wise when the light of the Holy Spirit shines on us. These eyes look up to God in hope, observe the world and its people and search within our hearts. The eyes of the church of Laodicea were blinded and they were unable to see their spiritual deficiency and their lukewarm attitude. As a result, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “I counsel thee to anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou may see”. This means that we must pray for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and enlighten us. Only then will we gain understanding and utilise the eyes of our hearts to search out the activities of the fleshly lusts within us.
Paul said that the works of the flesh are made manifest. This refers to how we are able to see the works of the flesh through the light of the Holy Spirit (that is just like the floodlights used by armies). It shines brightly within us in order to seek out the traces of the little foxes and capture them.
6.2 Self-restraint.
Peter asks us to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. We will be able to practise self-restraint when we are able to perceive the nature and the activities of the fleshly lusts within us.
1 Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Pride may start to grow within our fleshly bodies when we receive the admiration of others. Thus, we must resist and restrain such feeling immediately. We should not be arrogant of our abilities for they are blessings from God. Similarly, others who are more talented than us are blessed for God loves them as vessels. Therefore, we must respect, accommodate and learn from one another in order to edify ourselves and eradicate the lusts of jealousy.
Num 11:29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
We must have godly hearts that revere God. As Gamaliel puts it:
Acts 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Believers carry out divine works for God.
If we go against one another out of jealousy, are we not going against God?
Since all of us work for God, we must not look down on those whose works are not perfect or to our liking for the praise of the Master is the same for the servant who earns two talents and the servant who earns five talents.
Matt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matt 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
There is nothing to boast if one earns five talents and there is nothing to feel guilty if one earns only two talents. We must not feel superior to our less talented brethren for God blesses each of us with different talents that are to be used at different times.
1 Cor 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
The plum blossom may not be as white as snow, yet snow lacks the fragrance of the plum blossom. Therefore, everyone should be treated equally regardless of his abilities lest he who is favoured becomes proud and arrogant, and he who is looked down becomes discouraged and forlorn.
We must curb the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life. We must also bridle our tongues in order to stop the activities of the little foxes, only then will we be able to bear much fruits to glorify God. Of course, it is not easy for us to restrain our personal lusts. Hence, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible records that he who walks in the Spirit shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh, for fleshly lusts are against the Spirit, the Spirit is against the flesh and these two contradict each other.
Gal 5:16-17 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusted against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
It is apparent how crucial the power of the Holy Spirit is in the war against our fleshly lusts. The Holy Spirit is not just a guarantee of our future inheritance, but He is also a sharp weapon in warring against fleshly lusts.
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Our spiritual selves will become enslaved by our fleshly lusts, and our fleshly lusts will become tools of sins if we fail to rely on the Holy Spirit to war against our flesh. We will end up losing the guarantee of our inheritance. Those who preach to others but become castaways themselves are preachers who indulge in their fleshly lusts.
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
6.3 To crucify.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Paul said that the cross is a sign of suffering and a tool of punishment against sin and lusts. Although the sins of Christians have been forgiven after having received the correct mode of water baptism, their sinful nature (evil desires and personal lusts) still remains within their fleshly bodies and have yet to be uprooted completely. Hence, they may still be enticed by the devil and be drawn away by their evil desires and personal lusts. When evil desires and personal lust conceive, they bring forth sin. When sin is finished, it brings forth death.
Jas 1:14-15 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.
Christians sin because they indulge in the devil’s temptations and have left a space in their hearts for evil desires and fleshly lusts to grow daily. Gradually, they lose their rationality and spiritual senses and reject warnings from the Holy Spirit. Then, the Holy Spirit departs from them, Satan enters into their hearts and they become wilful sinners who are aware of their wrongdoings but continue to sin.
Eve gave in to the devil’s temptation and sinned due to her gastronomical cravings. Therefore, we must crucify the lusts of the flesh for they are just like fuses that lead to the commission of sins. To crucify the lusts of the flesh is to mortify the deeds of the body.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
We will not be able to mortify our evil desires and wicked lusts if we do not rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not only enable us to speak in tongues, He also gives us the power to mortify our evil desires, lusts and wicked deeds and nail them to the cross. At the same time, He helps us to bear fruits of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22-23 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
6.4 We must rely on the light of the Holy Spirit of Truth to capture them.
Eph 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Jhn 3:20-21 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
The Holy Spirit is miraculous for He can rebuke men. He can make one’s deeds come to light. A war between the Spirit and our flesh will take place when we gain awareness of the wicked lusts that still exist within our physical bodies.
Col 3:5-8 5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Gal 5:22-23 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Paul said that if there is no death, then there is no birth. If evil desires and personal lusts are not mortified, then there are no fruits of the Spirit. Even if such fruits are borne, they are false and are not of the Spirit. This is because Satan can also masquerade as an angel of light.
It is inevitable that the church has wolves in sheep’s clothing. These wolves are greedy and cruel but pretend to be kind. They use false righteousness and feigned love to gain the hearts of believers but their actual intention is to exploit others for their own benefit and fulfil their own desires. We cannot admit these as fruits of the Spirit for the true fruits of the Spirit are without lusts or prejudice and must be borne of an unpretentious heart and spirit.
Jas 3:17-18 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
We must pray constantly and rely on the Holy Spirit of light in order to keep our bodies under subjection, not fall into the snares of the devil and triumph over physical temptations. We must also put to death all filth and wickedness in our bodies in order to possess a clean and gentle heart. Then, our spiritual lives will be able to grow in an unimpeded environment and be firmer by a thousand fold. This is the elegant and unmatched spiritual virtuousness of a believer.
7. Conclusion
Songs of Solomon 2:15 uses the allegory of the vineyard and the little foxes to teach us that fleshly lusts is the greatest threat to the church while she is still in this world. If believers do not resolve this problem, it will become the subject of a malignant development that will affect the church’s ability to flourish positively.
From preceding events, we know that there may be one or two little foxes leaping around, wreaking havoc in the church. They cause disruption to spiritual nurture works and bring regression to the church. They should repent and be submissive to the Holy Spirit in humility because there is only a fine line between success in maintaining orderliness or the lack of it thereof.
Preachers and believers with responsibilities have great influences over the church. We must learn from Paul on how to keep our bodies under control. We must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to put to death the corrupt and evil authority in our bodies so that our blossoming vines are not destroyed but are able to bear fruits in abundance, that in a near future, my beloved is able to come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
Song 4:16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
The phrase “take us the little foxes” carries a profound meaning as in reality, it encompasses one’s spiritual nurture work and is a crucial teaching in terms of guarding the church.
(Holy Spirit Times 01.12.1968)