Little Things (3)

by J. Miller | Category: Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings | Jun 1980

There are little things that can do well-nigh irreparable evil. Solomon, with his profound knowledge of things, tells us that as dead flies corrupt the perfumer's ointment so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour (Eccl. 10:1). Often a glorious life is dimmed by some foolish act.

Solomon again tells us that it is the little foxes That spoil the vineyards. The vinedresser thinks that he has every hole in the hedge stopped against the inroads of the foxes, but there are small holes through which little foxes may come. It is not the big things which endanger the life of assemblies, but the little things. Full grown sins would soon be laid by the heels, but it is the little ones that are to be feared. These, like the little foxes which scrape the soil and damage the tender roots of the blossoming vines damage that which is vital to fruitful life in believers. Believers are grieved and discouraged. Their bloom goes; their leaves fade and fall off, and a state of deadness ensues, till at length the assembly ceases altogether.

James speaks of the importance of small things; the bridle of a horse, the rudder of a ship, and what a little fire can do. "So" he says, "the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things... the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue... the tongue can no man tame" (Jas. 3:1-12). Unless we have the tongue of them that are taught, as the Lord had (Is a. 50:4), we shall, in the light of the statements in James, be wise to be careful of its use. For by our words we shall be justified or condemned. A tongue controlled by the Holy Spirit may be a great blessing, but, under the power of the devil it may be a great curse.

Paul twice uses the similitude of "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9), first in connexion with moral evil, then with doctrinal evil. Moral evil is usually soon detected and dealt with, but doctrinal evil may sometimes be allowed a great amount of freedom: yet evil doctrine works with all the power of leaven. It is unrelenting in its action; even a little, if allowed to remain, will in time leaven the whole. If the whole is to be saved there must be a purging out of the leaven, and if the leaven has already permeated the greater portion of the whole, then there must be the out-purging of those who would be faithful to the Lord from that which evil doctrine has corrupted. Examine with care the teaching of 2 Timothy 2:16-22.

J. Miller | Jun 1980
Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings