p. 6 | The Little Foxes by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 15, 1909

The Little Foxes

By F. M. W.

THE little things of life have much to do with the success or failure which comes to each individual. Careful attention to details will often avert what otherwise might prove a great disaster. This is true in affairs of temporal concern, and equally true in matters pertaining to the spiritual life.

Solomon teaches this when he says: “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” In the vineyards of the East small foxes burrowed in the ground, and undermined and destroyed the vines. At first their work of evil was hardly perceptible, but if uninterrupted in their efforts, they brought the vineyard to destruction.

In human experience it is not so much the great outbreaking sins which cause men to fall or to make shipwreck of their faith. Probably none who read these words will go out and murder, or steal, or openly profane the Sabbath. From the commission of these great sins their souls would recoil in abhorrence. But there is danger that every soul may cherish lesser evils, the ultimate effect of which will prove as disastrous to the soul’s salvation as the greater sins mentioned above.

The cherishing of envy, jealousy, or malice in the heart; allowing the mind to dwell upon the evil and impure; speaking harsh, impatient words; indulging in idle, foolish jesting,—these are some of the ways whereby the Spirit is grieved, the character building weakened, and the soul prepared to yield to the greater evils with which Satan will seek to engulf the believer.

Apostasy from God does not come in a day. It comes as the result of the subtle, insidious working of evil in the heart. Sometimes we wonder why men who stand high in the world’s esteem, and apparently are true to the right, are suddenly overthrown, and brought low under the power of sin. Have they been loyal and pure up to the time of test, and then gone down before the unexpected

assault of the adversary? Rarely, if ever, is this the case. Evil had taken root in their lives. While appearing strong outwardly, sordid motives were controlling the deeper impulses. Little sins which their fellows might pass by unnoticed were undermining the character. Gradually, step by step, Satan was preparing them for his assault; and when he saw they were sufficiently weakened, he made his attack, and they went down before it.

The strength of the child of God is in holding no compromise with evil. Not for a day or an hour can he safely parley. He can not cherish sin in his soul, and go uncontaminated. It will surely do its insidious work of undermining, as did the foxes in the vineyards.

Says the apostle Paul: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

By constant dependence upon God, unceasing prayer, daily study of his Word, and the resistance of every suggestion of evil, may we be fortified to stand in the hour of temptation. God will permit no soul who fully trusts him, to be overcome. F. M. W.