2

IntroductionGod often uses His creatures to teach us lessons: Isa. 1:3; Psa. 32:9; Job 12:7

Solomon uses “little foxes”: Song of Solomon 2:15

“little foxes” can spoil our spiritual fruit: Jn. 15:1-8; Gal. 5:22-23; 5:7; 6:1

Little FoxesSong of Solomon 2:15

4

Selfishness Spoils Love

May be the most common “little fox.”

Saul had this “little fox”: 1 Sam. 20:31-32

Selfishness is the root of all sin: 1 Cor. 13:2

Little Foxes

5

Discontent Spoils Joy

“Joy” is to characterize the Christian: Phil. 4:4; Jas. 1:2-3; Hab. 3:18

Haman let discontent rob him of joy: Esther 5:11-13

Discontent is a “little fox” that can spoil our joy if we’re not careful.Little Foxes

6

Worry Spoils PeaceGod’s people are not to be a worri-some people: Matt. 6:31-32

Remember King Darius? Dan. 6:18-19

Martha allowed the “little fox” of worry to distract her and spoil her peace: Lk. 10:41-42

Little Foxes

7

Impatience Spoils Longsuffering

Does impatience wear your longsuffering thin quickly?

The Hebrew Christians allowed trials to wear down their patience: Heb. 10:35-36

Christian “race” is a marathon, not a sprint: Heb. 12:1-2

Impatience is a sly “little fox”: Lk. 9:52-56 Little Foxes

8

Bitterness Spoils Kindness

Bitterness hardens our hearts: Mk. 3:1-5

Hebrew writer warned of bitterness: Heb. 12:14-15

Some allow bitterness to spoil their kind-ness to others: Eph. 4:31-32

The “little fox” of bitterness can have tragic consequences: Matt. 6:14-15

Little Foxes

9

Laziness Spoils Goodness

The Scriptures condemn laziness: Prov. 10:26; 13:4; 20:4; 26:16

What do you think when you see a “run down” place? Prov. 24:30-34

Much goodness has gone out of our nation due to laziness.

Christians are not to be lazy: 2 Thess. 3:10; Acts 20:34-35; 2 Thess. 3:6-9; Eph. 4:28

Little Foxes

10

Doubt Spoils Faith“Doubting Thomas”: Jn. 20:25The 10 unfaithful spies: Num. 13:31-

32 Undoubtedly doubt demonstrates a

weak faith: Matt. 14:31Doubt also signals an unstable faith:

Jas. 1:6-7Having questions about our faith is

ok if we seek answers in the right place: Matt. 7:7-8; Jn. 7:17

Little Foxes

11

Pride Spoils Meekness

Recall King Uzziah? 2 Chron. 26:15-16

Recall the women of Jerusalem? Isa. 3:16-17; Prov. 16:18; 1 Cor. 10:12; Isa. 3:24

Let us always pursue a humble heart: Isa. 57:15; 1 Pet. 5:5

Little Foxes

12

Love of Pleasure Spoils Self-Control

Prodigal son had this “little fox”: Lk. 15:13

One who throws self-control to the curb is God’s enemy! Jas. 4:1-4

Hebrew writer gives good advice on self-control: Heb. 11:24-26 (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24-27)Little Foxes

13

Procrastination Spoils Diligence

Many times the Scriptures exhort us to be a diligent people: Prov. 12:27b-28; Heb. 6:11-12

Diligence guarantees eternal life: 2 Pet. 1:5-11

Can one achieve any good thing without diligence… and diligence NOW? 2 Cor. 6:2Little Foxes

14

Conclusion

How do we deal with “little foxes” ?

Can only be done with honest self-examination.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”

2 Corinthians 13:5