DEALING WITH “THE LITTLE FOXES”.
I have alluded to Song of Songs 2:15 KJV a few times “The little foxes that spoil the vines,” and as we pass this verse through the Cross and apply New Covenant principles to the verse, we can see Ddescribed the attack on our minds, from our depraved nature and also the evil one, and these can rob us of our peace and joy, which comes from the wine of the Holy Spirit (grapes).
As a Christian for many years I struggle with the fact that I still get these thoughts, I have sometimes wondered if they are part of the aging (physical and emotional) process). Paul writing to the Ephesian church tells us that our enemy has many tricks (wiles) that he wants to subject us too, so although the enemy wouldn’t even bother to tempt us to rob a bank or commit murder, he seeks to put thoughts of fear and doubt, and unbelief, negativity and insecurity into our mind, He is so subtle that they often creep up on us and we don’t always immediately recognise his tricks and before we know it we have lost our peace and joy, that is my experience anyway, and I pray regularly that I will be sensitive enough to recognise quickly these thoughts and their source and deal with them. I wonder if any of my readers have the same experience.
I am writing this blog as I woke yesterday morning so conscious of God’s peace in my heart, it was a sweeet experience, and an awesome way to start the day. Our constant challenge is to maintain that peace in our hearts, we need to make sure we are keeping short accounts with God and man, and deal with unconfessed sin, and learn to walk in surrender to the Lord.
Let me remind you today of Paul’s words in 2 Cor. 10:5 NKJV CASTING down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
PASSION .We can DEMOLISH every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.
AMP.N.T.[Inasmuch as we] REFUTE arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
N.L.T. We DESTROY every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
MESSAGE We use our powerful God-tools for SMASHING WARPED PHILOSPHIES, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
The moment we become conscious of the “birds flying around our head”, we must cast down, demolish, destroy, smash and refute every lie of the evil one,
Let us work hard at guarding God’s peace which came into our lives when we were born again.
Paul describes peace as a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, GAL.. 5:22-23 NKJV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. With the Lord’s help let us grow good fruit, and growing in grace.
WE must learn to WALK IN PEACE EPH, 5:15 NKJV and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; we must make the choice constantly to put on these shoes of peace, and walk in the will of God.
Look what peace does Phil. 4:7 NKJV the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS through Christ Jesus.
We must make a decision of our will and obey Col.3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Paul tells young Timothy 2 Tim. 2:22 NKJV PURSUE righteousness, faith, love, peace.
The best definition for pursue is CHASE after, make it the constant goal of your life, to let the peace of God continually fill and flood your heart with God’s peace which is almost indescribably awesome to experience.
Sadly, we have to contend with the “little foxes: but let us pray we will be sensitive to their activity, and deal with them will all the tools and weapons God has given us amen.
May the Lord’s peace continually fill and flood your heart.
I was reminded recently of a great hymn I used to sing many years ago.
Once I thought I walked with Jesus,
Yet such changeful feelings had;
Sometimes trusting, sometimes doubting,
Sometimes joyful, sometimes sad. Oh, the peace the Savior gives!
Peace I never knew before;
And my way has brighter grown
Since I’ve learned to trust Him more.2But He call’d me closer to Him,
Bade my doubting, fearing, cease;
And when I had fully yielded,
Filled my soul with perfect peace.3Now I’m trusting every moment,
Nothing less can be enough;
And the Savior bears me gently
O’er those places once so rough.4Day by day my soul He’s keeping
By His wondrous power within;
And my heart is full of singing
To my Savior from all sin.
