In the Song of Solomon, a book in the Bible of the love between God and His people, there is a verse that is in the midst of verses.

"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." - Song of Songs 2:15 KJV

Another translation reads,

"Young Women of Jerusalem Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!" - Song of Songs 2:15 NLT

The definition of “foxes” is “burrowers.”

In the New Testament, Jesus describes the relationship of Him and His people as a vine and branches. If our relationship with Jesus is ruined, we cannot bear fruit. The little foxes need to be caught that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ... If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." - John 15:5, 7 KJV

What can ruin our relationship with Jesus? We know, of course, sin ruins our relationship with Him.

What could be those little foxes that spoil the vines?

These “little foxes” could be the thoughts that enter our minds that can lead to sin.

Just a little thought. A little fox. Yet what begins as little thought can “spoil the vines.”

"And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" - Matthew 9:4 KJV

Thoughts that are ungodly, accusing, unforgiving, hateful, lustful, prideful, lying thoughts… so many little foxes that can spoil the vines. (Mark 7:21-23)

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:14-15 KJV

"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." - John 15:6 KJV

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." - John 15:2-3 KJV

To keep the little foxes out of our relationship with God, we guard our minds.

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober [think clearly and exercise self-control], and hope to the end for [look forward to] the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" - 1 Peter 1:13 KJV

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." - Philippians 4:8-9 KJV