One of my favorite verses in all of scripture is found in Song of Solomon 2:15. It goes like this:

“Catch the foxes for us,
   the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards,
   for our vineyards are in blossom.”

It’s a beautiful peace of poetry and the sentiment of my own heart. As I reflected on it some tonight, I read Matthew-Henry’s commentary on that portion of scripture. His wording is pointed and concise. I couldn’t say it better, so I’ll let him.

“The first risings of sinful thoughts and desires, the beginnings of trifling pursuits which waste the time, trifling visits, small departures from truth, whatever would admit some conformity to the world; all these, and many more, are little foxes which must be removed. This is a charge to believers to mortify their sinful appetites and passions, which are as little foxes, that destroy their graces and comforts, and crush good beginnings. Whatever we find a hinderance to us in that which is good, we must put away.”