LITTLE FOXES

By Bishop Alfred Owens on Monday 07/13/15 @ the Power Explosion program at RCCG Victory Temple Bowie

Solomon 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes (KJV)

Message Bible Version: Then you must protect me from the foxes, foxes on the prowl, Foxes who would like nothing better than to get into our flowering garden.

I have discovered that if we took care of the little problems in our lives the big problems will not exists. The fact remains that big problems in our lives often result from little problems we fail to address. We often overlook the little hindrances that consume us. We forget that in God there are no big sins and little sins. WITH GOD ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN!!! It is only in the eyes of church people that we have big sins and little sins. With church people there are three categories of sin that if committed they are ready to sentence a person straight to hell. For the “little, no harm” sin they say “God understands”! Some of us have become so “righteous” that we are now self righteous when the bible tells us “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. Beloved, “ALL” means “you” also are not exempt.

I have discovered that in every church there are three “big sins” that people are very quick, fast, and in a hurry to send a person to hell for and they are as follows:

ADULTERY, FORNICATION, and HOMOSEXUALITY!!!

Beloved, though the bible condemns all three of those sins, the same bible also condemns ENVY, JEALOUSY, STRIVE, MALICE, PRIDE, GOSSIP, SOWING DISCORD AMONG BRETHREN!!! The fact remains that we major in the minor and minor in the major. We have people in the “church of God” backstabbing one another. One of the greatest hinderances to ministry growth is the little things we allow to grow, develop, and become monsters. Our main concern should not be the wolves we can easily recognize but also the wolves dressed up as sheep. Beloved, THE VERY ELECT WILL BE DECEIVED BY LITTLE FOXES!!!

In the above-referenced bible passage in Solomon 2:15, they said they did EVERYTHING they possibly could to protect the tender grapes in their vineyard from the wolves. They put up fences and so on but they soon discovered that it wasn’t the wolves but the little foxes that were the culprits!!! Beloved, IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS IN THE LIVES OF SAINTS THAT DESTROY THE ENTIRE VINEYARD!!! Here this and hear me well: YOU CANNOT OPERATE IN POWER IF YOU HAVE ENVY, JEALOUSY, MALICE, PRIDE, ANGER, AND SO ON IN YOUR HEART!!!

FOUR (4) PRINCIPLES TO HELP DEAL WITH LITTLE FOXES

# 1: DON’T RESENT WHAT ANOTHER PERSON HAS: Do not resent their abilities, possessions, success, fortune, because you don’t know what it took them to get what they have. We often judge people by the way they dress. YOU SEE THE GLORY BUT DON’T KNOW THEIR STORY. It’s so rampant in the “church of God” that at times one has to hide their blessings because THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT DON’T LIKE TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE BLESSED!!! Beloved, you have not always been where you are now. Learn to CELEBRATE EACH OTHER!!! I remember a time in my church when we had testimony services during which all we did was share our testimonies and EVERYONE would clap and be happy at the testimonies of others because they realized that if God is blessing others, he was in the neighborhood!!! WE NEED TO LEARN TO CELEBRATE OTHERS!!! The truth is that none of us look like what we’ve been through. I remember a time when all I had for church was one black suit that I ironed so much that it began to shine. I thank God for my glory but I cannot forget my story. Beloved, if you praise and thank God for the not enough, He’ll bless you with just enough and if you praise and thank Him for the just enough, He’ll bless you with more than enough. FELLOWSHIP MEANS YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE ON THE SHIP. Jealousy is like cancer; it spreads and if you don’t deal with it it’ll eat you up on the inside. No one can curse whom God has blessed. I am blessed and highly favored.

# 2: WE ARE NOT IN COMPETITION WITH EACH OTHER: In the church today, everyone is trying to outdo everyone not realizing that WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM fighting the same devil. The devil knows that where there is unity there is strength and that a kingdom divided amongst itself cannot stand. Beloved, THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT NOR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG. How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Everything I have was given to me by God and every height I am to reach God will take me there. Our attitudes should be “God bless you if He gave you five talents; use it for His glory. I am happy with my one!!!” Beloved, WHATSOEVER YOUR HANDS FIND TO DO, DO IT WITH ALL THY MIGHT!!! Work your one talent and stop trying to measure up. STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED OF GOD AND NOT OF MAN!!! As long as God gives you an “A”, I refuse to be manipulated or intimidated by anyone!!! Gifts come from God. Our attitudes should be “I thank God for my one talent”. WE ARE NOT IN COMPETITION WITH EACH OTHER. It is God’s house, God’s kids, etc. IT IS ALL ABOUT GOD!!! Pastors should always keep in mind that it is not everybody under you that wants the church to grow. This is because they know that the more people you have the less you’ll have to depend on them. These people are usually the ones that are not warm and friendly to new members. There was a time in my church that I asked newly born-again young lady to join the ushering team. This young lady ushered so well and “put a new swing” into the department that the older ushers were jealous and wanted her out of the department! One of the older ushers came to me one day to tell me she saw this young lady smoking at the bus stop and should be removed from the department. Bur for some reason I didn’t say anything to this young lady. I simply thanked the old usher for the info. Then about three weeks later this young usher came out to testify that God had delivered her from smoking!!! MANY CHURCHES TODAY HAVE THE PROBLEM OF MEMBERS NOT GETTING ALONG WITH OTHER MEMBERS!!!

# 3: DON’T REPAY EVIL FOR EVIL: Instead, do good for the evil done to you by others. There’s a saying that “If you kill my dog I’m gonna kill your cat!” meaning that people like to “get even” But beloved DON’T BE THE PERPETRATOR OR THE INSTIGATOR!!! If someone doesn’t speak to you, YOU SPEAK TO THEM!!! You shouldn’t have to walk down another isle because you don’t wanna talk to someone!!! Get if off you and BE THE FIRST TO APOLOGIZE!!! Bless those who curse you and pray for those who are mean to you. Your attitude should be “What would Jesus do?” God says ”Vengeance is mine”

# 4: WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU, IT IS FOR YOU: You don’t have to be envious or jealous of others for their gifts or talents. GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. You may say “What if I named it and claimed it and somebody else takes it? What if I named it and claimed it and somebody else drives off in it? What if I named him/her and claimed him/her and somebody else walks down the isle with him/her??????” Beloved, if any of these scenarios happens to you, REJOICE BECAUSE IT WASN’T FOR YOU AND GOD’S GOT SOMETHING BETTER FOR YOU!!! Realize that not only does God order our steps but He also orders our “stops”. He blocks certain things from happening that ae not going to be good for you. The bible tells us that “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk upright with Him”. Beloved, ask and you shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. It is the Father’s good pleasure to give good things to His children. Though the vision may tarry WAIT FOR IT FOR IT WILL SURELY SPEAK!!! Let us pray…
PRAYER: Help us, O Lord, to get rid of the little foxes in our lives…

The Lord gave the word; great is the company of those that published it (Psalm 68:11)