It was Solomon who warned us that it is “the little foxes that spoil the vines“( SS 2:15) yet most people ignore his warning. They suppose as long as there is not a total moral collapse that all is well. But they put themselves in grave danger by ignoring the little things in life.
J. R. Miller explained it well in his comments on our text. He said—“It is sad to see how some holy and noble characters are marred by little–yet grievous, faults and blemishes! One man is generous–but he desires always to have his charity praised. Another is disposed to be kind and helpful–but by his manner, he hurts or humiliates the one he befriends. Another is unselfish and devout–but is careless of promises and engagements. He makes appointments, and never thinks of them again. He borrows money, and does not repay it. His friends say, “He is so forgetful!” Yes; but how his forgetfulness mars his character and hurts his influence! Forgetfulness is worse than an acceptable weakness; it is a sin! Untruthfulness is a blot in all eyes. Whenever SELF leaks out in conduct or disposition–it is a dead fly in the perfume It makes little difference, that a person is not intentionally at fault in the things which so mar his life. Carelessness and thoughtlessness are themselves such serious moral blemishes–that they make impossible, any excuse for delinquencies resulting from them. We need to look to “the littles” which either make or mar godly character. No fault is too small to be worth curing, and no fragment of beauty is too small to be worth setting in the mosaic of character.”
Before you break your arm patting yourself on the back because you excel where others fail, examine your heart. What you might consider a minor matter could become a major issue, causing your downfall if left unattended. You don’t have to be the worst person in town to cause great harm. Sometimes simple neglect can do more harm than an overt act of rebellion.–HDS
