Samson was able to catch not one fox but three hundred. In doing so, he was declaring that all of the things that were working against God’s people were going to start working for God’s people! First, he took the foxes away from Israel’s vineyards. This action saved the Hebrew vines from destruction. Then, he tied the foxes' tails together, set them on fire, and released them into the fields of his enemy to destroy their harvest.
God wants to give you that kind of testimony in your life!
The things that have been gnawing and eating at you can be caught and overcome. God can bring the fire of his presence into your situation. And He can send the enemy back to where he belongs so that you can experience victory over the little foxes in your most meaningful relationships.
We are all dealing with a little fox in some way. Most likely, little foxes! Meaning more than one issue or struggle chewing away at our minds and hearts. Song of Solomon 2:15 tells us that we must “catch” the foxes in order to prevent their damage.
So how do you catch the spiritual foxes that the enemy sends into our relationships to steal, kill, and destroy? With much success, I believe we can “meaningfully” apply The Five Love Languages of Gary Chapman, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Quality Time, Acts of Service, and Gifts:
1. Meaningfully Affirm
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
Entitlement and selfishness will keep you from affirming others. Instead, affirm the people within your circle of influence: employees, supervisors, business partners, sponsors, parents, teammates, coaches, and, especially, your spouse and children. Greater levels of meaningfulness tend to arrive on the other side of affirmation. 2. Meaningfully Touch
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. -Hebrews 13:4 (ESV) Touch your spouse in a loving and meaningful way – physically. 3. Invest Meaningful Time Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:4 (ESV) If you're going to catch the little foxes that are gnawing away at the person you care so much about, you have to spend meaningful time with them. Care about what they are interested in and lean into their life. Schedule meaningful time with them, for example, a date night or a short vacation just for the two of you. Even just ten minutes of uninterrupted quality conversation can go a long way! 4. Meaningfully Serve But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. -1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV) God commanded us to meaningfully serve the people with whom we want to have a familial relationship. In fact, God designed it to be a testimony of our faith and belief in Jesus. 5. Meaningfully Give In all things…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ -Acts 20:35 (ESV) Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” -Luke 6:38 (ESV) Give from the goodness of your heart without expecting to receive something in return. No strings attached! Just give. Not manipulatively, but from the purity of Christ-like generosity. There are little foxes who will constantly try to sneak into your life. They are coming to chew, gnaw, and eat at the roots and fruit of your most meaningful relationships. But God has more planned for your relationship than dead roots and devoured fruit. So instead, believe that there will be something healthy – something meaningful – something that stands the test of time. Jesus is more than enough to help you defeat every fox: On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.” And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’
-Luke 13:31–32 (NKJV) Jesus showed us how to deal with the fox! “Go, tell that fox…” I love Jesus! He announced that even when the spiritual fox possesses a king-like personality, demons will still be cast out, sicknesses will still be healed, and Resurrection Day is still coming! God has the answer for all the little foxes in your life. He has the solution for the things that are gnawing at your roots and devouring your fruit. He can and will help you catch all the little foxes in your life! I invite you to view this message in its entirety.
We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!
Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.
Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.
Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin
Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.
Subscribe to EricGilbert.org using this link:https://www.ericgilbert.org/subscribe. You'll be able to receive updates directly to your email inbox as we post blogs every Monday, Thursday, and Friday morning.