Watch Out For The Little Foxes

Dr. Wayne A. Lawson

Antioch Institutional Baptist Church

Oklahoma City, OK 73117

Preached Sunday, January 3, 2010

Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:15 “Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vine, for our vines have tender grapes.”

TITLE: WATCH OUT FOR THE LITTLE FOXES

I am thrilled and honored to bring this first Sermon on the First Sunday of a New Year. We have come a long way the past few months. The devil threw all he had at us last year. He came in like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He made as much noise as he possibly could. Yet, we have stood with the Help and Grace of God. We now need to begin preparing ourselves for leadership that God will send us during this New Year. Leadership from Pulpit to the Ushers Door. There is a message that we need to hear and understand this morning as we march boldly into the New Year. We need to be careful and understand that the devil will begin to change his tactics and come against the Church. He has only departed for a season. I believe God would have us in position to understand what is still before us.

The fascinating love story in Solomon’s song contains many intriguing pictures. One is of a beautiful vineyard in early spring. The vines, however, are threatened by little foxes that come in to eat the tender grapes before they are ripe. Thus comes the plea to capture (“take”) the foxes and prevent them from spoiling the vineyard. An obvious spiritual application is to the subtle danger of so-called “little sins” that undermine a believer’s love and service for his Lord. If it goes unchecked it gives the adversary just enough room to come in an destroy the vines.

Solomon calls to our attention that it is the little foxes that spoil the vine. This appears to be a warning to you and me. It is the little things in life that get us down -- minute - microscopic that commence to destruct our homes – destroy our relationships -- stagnate our local churches. Perhaps we spend necessary time praying and are prepared when Satan enters as a roaring Lion, we are equipped with our spiritual armour, we expect that - However, when Satan arrives as a Little Fox – little situation – we find we are not adequately prepared. I know that sounds like a Contradiction, but I encourage you to stay with me this morning.

These little foxes have a tremendous advantage. Not expected to have much Consequence - unglued – not expected to knock a marriage out of commission – not expected to end relationships - not expected to spiritually kill a church - We display the attitude that it is just a little/trivial thing. United Kingdom, British have a sport where they run around the countryside on horseback chasing and attempting to catch a Fox. They will ride all day long until they capture or give up.

The fox is a rather peculiar animal. It derives its name from its tendency to dig underground to settle in holes or burrows or to feast on grapevines. It is silent and solitary. It has an incredible sense of sight, smell, and hearing. It exhibits tremendous cleverness in going after its prey. At times, it will actually play dead in order to attack a bird which is within its striking range. When hunted, it is very cunning, devious, and capable of misleading its pursuers with utmost skill. Resultantly, it has always been considered as an emblem of slyness - cunning - craftiness - mischief.

• Fox is Fast

• Fox is Slick

• Fox is Sneaky

• Sounds like I am describing some people in the…….

• Fox is Little

• Fox is Adorable

• Fox is Cute

• Because of its cuteness we don’t take it seriously

• Decoy so we don’t see how dangerous it really is

• Cunning more dangerous

We tend to underestimate the smaller things in life. The atom bomb was a small object yet brought the nation of Japan to surrender in just a few minutes. A flea is very small but enough of them can kill the largest dog. The termite is a very small insect, but it can destroy a three story house if ignored. Solomon warns of the “Little foxes”. In this passage of Scripture we see the principle of little things. If we ignore the little things they will someday grow up and become “big things”, and then they will present us a great problem.

• Children when little talk back – Cute

• Children when little use Bad Language – Cute

• Children when little Dance, Shake, Gyrate - Cute

• But one day the grow up and it’s no longer Cute………