Catch a Little Fox

Catch A Little Fox

 by

Wanda Ritter

“Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.”
 (Song of Songs 2:15 NKJV)

What do you know about the fox, a clever, cunning animal, who eats birds and small animals.  They also eat insects, fish and berries. There are several species that live North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.  We are most familiar with the red fox.  However, there are also black, or silver, as they are called, blue, artic, cross and the gray fox.  For centuries, they have been trapped for their beautiful fur. In spite of that, they have survived.  The foxes hide by day and hunt by night. 

My father was a trapper and fur dealer and I was well acquainted with wild animals like the fox.  I went with Dad one day to check his fox traps and he had caught one.  I discovered at that time, the fox is a persistent and very dangerous animal.  He is so crafty and cunning, he can sneak into a farmyard and cause destruction before the farmer even knows he’s there.

There are foxes of a different kind who sneak into churches all over the world.  They are also very crafty and cunning and most don’t recognize them for who they are, until it’s too late and the damage is done.  How do we recognize a churchfox?  It would help if they had a bushy tail and pointed ears, but that isn’t the case.  Most look exactly like your average churchgoer.   However, there are four things that stand out like antenna:

• They come from another church or denomination and share how they were treated badly and did not deserve it.
• They make themselves available to be helpful to others, especially if these other seem to have money.
• They tell anyone who will listen about all the amazing things they have done in the past and that we should follow their example.
• If they get a microphone in hand, they try to teach others about the Bible; enough so they appear legitimate and then, sneaky as a fox, they put forth their beliefs.  Very craftily they twist the Word of God into what sounds like truth.

           Generally, these little foxes have sneaked into several churches and wreaked havoc, before they were recognized. The problem being, that once they become trusted by the leadership, they cunningly began take-over tactics. 

           A church fox has the uncanny ability to plant a word here and there that brings questions to the minds of the faithful.  They might encourage the pastor of the church by bragging him up and telling him what a privilege it is to sit under the pastor’s ministry.  This is how the fox tries to appear humble.

If given the opportunity, they can undermine strong, solid programs within a church and in some cases, cause a great division in the body of Christ.  The best thing to do is what the wise Solomon said, “catch the little foxes before they spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes”. 

           These ‘tender grapes’ are those who are newly saved, or those Christians who are not strong and grounded.  The fox loves to gobble up those tender grapes and the poor little things don’t even recognize who they are dealing with.
           It reminds me of the story of “The Gingerbread Man”?  The gingerbread man was running away and no one could catch him.  Then along came the crafty, cunning fox and by appearing to help the gingerbread man, tricked him into a position where the fox gobbled him up.  That was the end of the gingerbread man.
          God has given many gifts to man and one much needed gift is the gift of discernment (I Cor. 12:10).  Not everyone has the Gift of Discernment, but it is placed within the body for our protection from the little foxes that spoil the vines.  We must not confuse this gift with criticism.  Many times, one who has the gift of discernment is told they are being critical, especially when they have discerned there is a fox in the church.
          All of this doesn’t mean that we should go on a fox hunt.  What it does mean, is we should be aware there are those who do these things.  If we recognize their tactics, we need to catch them by putting a stop to what they are doing before they cause too much damage. 

Jesus said to those he sent out, “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves”.  (Matt. 10:16)  Christians should behave in this manner when they see someone causing division in the church.  First, they should just watch and be silent until they are sure of what they believe.  They should pray much about it. Finally, if they are positive a person is causing a serious problem in the church, they need to bring it before the church board.  If that would be too uncomfortable, it is proper to write a letter addressed to the board, with their signature.

The church board, along with the pastors, is the governing body of the church.  Once the problem is brought to their attention, the situation is then in their hands and it is up to them to handle it.  You can do nothing more about it, but continue to pray.

God knows the situation and sees what is happening.  If you have the gift of discernment you also have the responsibility to act when a fox comes into the body of believers.  Whatever you do, pray - pray - pray!  God will show you what to do.