LITTLE THINGS

I Was Just Thinking About – LITTLE THINGS.

Most of the people I know are desirous of having a productive and useful life. They are usually careful that little things do not gain any kind of foothold in their lives. They are aware that little things can too easily and too quickly take root and become bigger things. To prevent bigger things from becoming obstacles in one’s life will require diligence (the constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind). It reminds me of Proverbs 6:6-11 (NIV), “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!...How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

How can little things cause bigger things to happen? In the mid-1800s, the Grape Vines in Europe began to mysteriously deteriorate. The estimate is that between two-thirds and nine-tenths of all European Vineyards were destroyed. What caused this devastation? It was a small aphid-like insect not easily seen and for which there was no insecticide that could destroy it. The tiny insect fed on the roots and leaves of the grapevines causing severe damage. Just a little thing became a very big problem. The disease is identified as Phylloxera defined as microscopic, pale-yellow sap-sucking insects causing damage – and if left unattended – will destroy the grapevine. In fact, it destroyed 90% of the wine industry in France. The European wine grape is very susceptible to the insect. All of this devastation happened due to a tiny aphid - un undetectable insect – an enemy of the vine.

Question: Is it possible or likely that Spiritual Phylloxera can go undetected in one’s life? Answer: Yes! One would do well to read John 15:1-17 and gain the knowledge of Christ about how the Biblical Christian is to live and be in His Vine. There are many passages that address little things that can become big things in one’s life. One of the passages is Colossians 3:1-10. Dealing with Spiritual Phylloxera requires conducting a spiritual funeral. The text states: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.”

Current Biblical values and lifestyle require the things one must get rid of (put away). Things such as: Anger (great annoyance; rage); Wrath: (deeply resentful; stern indignation); Malice: (desire to inflict injury or harm; a hostile impulse); Slander: (a malicious, false, defamatory utterance); Obscene Talk (from your mouth: indecent; lewd); Do Not Lie to one another (exaggeration, boasting, bloviating, speaking pompously).”

Question: Why should the Biblical Christian deal with these things? Answer: If you are a Biblical Christian it is because “you have put off the old self with its practices and you have put on the new self, which is being  renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

Do you have spiritual Phylloxera lingering in your vine – your life? Do you disregard it as a little thing? You know what God’s Word states you must do – so – do it – get rid of all that would hinder and/or devastate your branch in the vine.

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.