Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday March 17, 2011

Have you ever permitted a problem, person or sin to just sort of "linger" around in your life? Usually these problems, persons or sins are just little annoyances but we make a mistake in thinking such thoughts, "Are really no big deal." They may be a much bigger deal than you think.

Sins, problems and a certain type of person are what Solomon speaks of in Song 2:15

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

In context, the groom is speaking to the bride and making a voiced mental note that all relationships, including the most intense and tender of all, marriage, needs work, especially in the areas of things that divide. The instant application is the importance of keeping the foxes that abounded in Israel from coming into the vineyard and eating the grapes when they are fully ripe. To permit this not only ruins the harvest, but spoils the vine itself and hinders future harvests.

Problems should not be permitted to fester. A "little fox" person is the one who is always there, but will not receive any ideas on contributing to the benefit of the whole, nor will in meaningful ways contribute to the same. And we know the enormous damage that is wrought to relationships by secret, often "tiny" sins, but sins nonetheless.

M. Scott Peck used a statement relating to problems, but is apropos to the other two as well.

"Problems do not go away. They must be worked through or else they remain; forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit."

Solomon uses another illustration of "little things" ruining a good thing when he writes in Ecclesiastes 10:1:

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Ointment is a good and healing balm, but little flies ruin its benefit.

As you read this article, can you think of any "little foxes" or even dead flies in the vineyard or ointment of your life? Problems, you will not deal with? A "little" person/persons who are not healthy for you? And what of sins of any measurement?

Just a few little thoughts to mess up an otherwise perfect day. I mean well.

Larry Lilly Copyright (C) 2011 Use with credit.

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