We know that the Old Testament Scriptures often use metaphors to convey truths. Paul called such metaphors a “shadow” or image of a reality (cf. Col. 2:17). Knowing this let’s look into the many “little foxes, that spoil the vines.” I contend that the ‘little foxes’ of today are the many false, mistaken, Biblically contrary ideas that are prevalent among “the body of Christ” today, during the age of “the grace of God.”

The many undispensational items commonly believed today that I will mention in this paper will not cost a believer his or her their salvation, but they do rob believers from enjoying the ‘total blessing’ that is ours since we have already received Christ … as our ALL-sufficient ALL. The fact is that we as believers are inherently equipped to endure ALL situations of human life on earth, including death, having total confidence in Him.

While the many untruths of these false religious precepts that are preached or taught, these “little foxes” can separate us from confidence in the truth of the Lord in accord with the knowledge of the grace of God. Paul tells us not even death can separate us from the love of God.

“For I [Paul] am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

Though each specific ‘little fox’ that I mention in this paper at first appear as ‘harmless’ to many, we will see how that these “little foxes” actually serve to destroy our security, rest and peace we as believers are intended to enjoy even in the midst of life’s trials.

I refer to the so-called ‘harmless false’ or undispensational ideas as the “little foxes” that that destroy the vine and therefore they destroy ‘the fruit of the Vine.’ Recall that Christ is the true vine (Jn. 15:1) and all that we have and may enjoy of the Lord is the fruit of His life working within us. The “fruit of the vine” is not the raw grapes but rather “wine,” In the Bible the Holy Spirit is represented by ‘wine.’  Paul says; “And be not drunk [under the influence] with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with [under the influence of] the Spirit;” Ephesians 5:18 (KJV) This physical wine is a metaphor for the wine of the Holy Spirit of Life In Christ Jesus who is in in us. Believers are to be ‘under the influence’ of “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.”

We have a critically necessary caution from Paul. If we do not “rightly divide the word of truth” we will be confused as to what applies to us as the members of “the body of Christ” and what does not apply to us.

Our Apostle, Paul, carefully instructs us to “study” and then also How to Study “the word of truth” … by “rightly dividing the word of truth.” We begin by DIVIDING what applied to Israel in “time past” from what applies to us as members of the Gentile “body of Christ” during today’s age of pure grace.

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV only)

Most of the “little foxes” we will discuss are either;

• Items of manmade religious practice, rituals, rites, use of beads, genuflecting, and honoring and praying material ‘images’ such a ‘statues’ and ‘relics’ as idolatrous icons… behind which no doubt are demons.
• Practices that did once apply to Israel  or are falshood (i.e., “the Law,” water baptism, women’s head covering, etc.), but these do NOT apply during today’s dispensational age of “the dispensation of the grace of God.” The word “dispensation” refers to ‘the terms for relationship with God during a particular age’ … todays age is based upon 100% grace.
• ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14 (KJV)
• Religious ‘Tradition’ is an evil that Jesus exposed more than once. Religious Traditions contradict the word of truth for today. Jesus said;

“… ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” Matthew 15:6 (KJV)

• Religious ‘Myths or fables’,’ most of which came through Pagan tradition that became established by the Roman church … many of which were to passed on to and through Protestantism as well.