It takes a lot of effort to maintain and strengthen the most important relationships in our lives. Our relationships with God and with our spouses deserve the utmost care and vigilance. Or else, we could risk losing them.

We should not allow our guard to go down, especially when we face things that seem to be "safe" or "nothing." The Song of Solomon gives us a warning in chapter 2, verse 15. There, it says:

"Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!"

The Little Foxes

Foxes are small, beautiful animals that are often hunted for their fur. While they usually don't attack humans, they're known as sly, opportunistic animals who time their attacks against small animals. Some species look absolutely cute, but don't be deceived: They're still animals that can bite.

Solomon says we have to look out for the little foxes because they are sly animals that can pick on your vineyards (relationship with God and spouse). They also threaten our livestock (job or source of income). We need to guard against them well.

Here are some "foxes" that we should guard against, and drive away when spotted.

1. Things That Steal Your Time Away from God and Your Spouse

Watch out for things and people that take away your time and focus on your relationship with God and with your spouse.

Do the boys at work take up the time you should be spending for prayer and talking to your spouse? Does that TV show drain your attention? Are you attracted by websites that steal your heart away from God and your wife? Watch out for these, and learn to create boundaries for yourself (see Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38).

2. Things That Attract You and Make You Think That 'Nothing's Gonna Go Wrong'

Affairs and other wrong commitments don't just happen – they take some time. First, it starts in the mind and heart, then it proceeds to one's behaviour and words, until finally it becomes a problem. How did it happen again? It's because the threat is underestimated.

When we meet new people of the opposite sex, we need to be careful. King David didn't even have to meet Bathsheba before falling into sin with her in his heart. When he saw her, he could've just walked away, but he did not. Instead he plunged head-on (see 2 Samuel 11).

Let's not underestimate sin.

3. Things That Make You Compromise in Your Faith and Stand in God

Anything that leads us into sin is not from God. If you find yourself compromising your standards and accepting a watered-down gospel that speaks the truth about sin, hell, the fear of God, and the necessity of salvation by grace, you need to stop.

Consider Samson, how God anointed him, yet he wasted it all on a woman named Delilah. He got so enamoured with the woman that he didn't care about breaking God's heart (see Judges 16).

Consider also Adam and Eve. They entertained the lies of the devil and later found themselves sinning. Not only did they separate from God, their marriage was also attacked: Both of them played the blame game and had marriage problems ever since (see Genesis 3).

Watch out for the things that will hinder you from coming to God and hearing His voice in His Word.