Little Foxes

Ken suggested writing a few examples of little foxes that ruin the vineyard:

Aimlessly surfing Internet or TV channels leading to pornography.

Reading novels or books that stimulate sensual desires.

Casual flirtation leading to relationship with non-believer.

Social activities with non-believers leading to ungodly activities and attitudes.

Gossip leading to slander and harmed reputation.

Using credit cards casually leading to huge debt.

Teasing or rudeness that leads to broken relationships.

Sleeping in later and later leading to slothfulness.

 

Telling “white lies” leading to bigger lies.

Catch The Foxes...

Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom." Song of Solomon 2:15

The foxes, the little foxes, were not there to destroy the grapes, they were playing. They were cute. They didn't seem to be a problem. However, they ruined the vineyard.

There are things in our life that are major, but they most likely started out small, something we thought amusing.

If we don't take care of them, catch them in their infancy, they grow and become problematic.

They may not appear to be a problem but they grow and bring us to ruin.

Making Promises We Can't Keep

My friend Jon was wondering what one does if he has signed a pledge card to give to a church building or other financial commitment and then realizes that he has made a promise that he can not fulfill or believes it was in error.

Proverbs gives the steps to gain relief.

My son, if you have become surety (a cosigner) for your neighbor, Have given a pledge for a stranger, If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, Have been caught with the words of your mouth, Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor. Do not give sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids; Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter's hand, And like a bird from the hand of the fowler. Proverbs 6: 1-5

The writer of the Proverbs breaks down several ways we make promises:

1) becoming a cosigner for your neighbor (or companion).

2) given a pledge for a stranger.

3) trapped by the words of your mouth (making a promise).

4) captured by the words of your mouth saying you can or will do something you may not be able to do).

The way out, to deliver ones self:

1) go.

2) humble yourself.

3) importune your neighbor (a strong word meaning to beg even to the point of being arrogant).

4) don't sleep until you have accomplished what you are seeking.

5) deliver yourself like an animal fleeing the hunter.