Catch the little foxes

 2 Corinthians 5:17  If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!  

Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful then, how you live--not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Your spirit, when it is given over to God, is one with God (John 17:21).  When we seek Him we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13) and He desires to give us wisdom (Proverbs 2:3-5 & James 1:5) and guidance (1 John 5:14).  When we allow the spirit that is one with God to call the shots, the soul and body will follow.  What we give the most attention to will become the most influential.  Our spirit can take the lead only if we feed it more than our soul (mind) and body.

Do you know somebody who, when they aren't getting what they want, they get loud, and louder? (Probably a small, child who does not yet understand consequences, though a little self reflection and we find we're not much different, just a little more self-sufficient!) Consider what you can remember of the wants- were they usually good things?  Likewise, our soul and body will cry out, and often find the things that are most appealing, but not necessarily good for growth.  

Our soul and body can be like foxes, demanding and crafty in getting their way. A fox is known to take out a coop of chickens without even eating one.  It will see something appealing and have to have it, even if it doesn't really need it/isn't hungry.  Likewise, we are likely to grab at something we don't need, thinking a little bit is harmless, and before we know it, what came sneaking in with cravings we find ourselves falling into and then becoming overwhelming habits/addictions.  

Our spirit can be like a rabbit, quiet, and looking for only the best, this creature is not violent by nature, though it will defend it's own.  Rabbits can actually be very territorial, and affectionate.  A healthy rabbit, when fed with a very specific nutritional diet (which it will seek on its own), can outwit and outrun any fox.  What we give the most attention to will become the most influential.  Our Spirit can take the lead only if we feed it more than our soul and body.  Our spirit, when not fed, is more like a rabbit than a fox: it will get less and less active instead of more aggressive, until eventually it just fades out without notice.  

Song of Solomon 2: 15  Be careful for the little foxes... we let in the "little things", they will eventually take over.

Again, it is much like a bunch of boys playing with fire, never imagining their clothes would catch flame, or that the sparks from their wooden pokers might spread a fire.  Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our heart, our spirit, for it is the wellspring of life.  When we are in harmonious relationship with God's Spirit, we have life flowing from us.  When we are more focused on our physical desires and sensual, entertaining pleasures, we are not only playing with fire, but likely to burn those around us.  

We can also be spiritually on fire, having an  intense passion, deep spiritual connection, and unwavering commitment to God, characterized by fervent prayer, a hunger for God's presence, a desire to share our faith, and alignment with God's will. It is a much deeper pleasure to have a spiritual fire in us, an inner passion fueled by the Holy Spirit, leading to actions like evangelizing, interceding for others, and living a life of holiness (Jeremiah 20:9)  We must feed this fire daily (Leviticus 6:12-13).  

Which fire are you fueling, which animal are you feeding, bottom line: are you intentional about meeting with God, seeking His wisdom, worshiping Him for His promises, and diligent about doing His will?  For to live is Christ, and when we are fulling living in Christ, we know that to die to ourself is gain (Philippians 1:21) .