The Fox and the Deer!

The other morning, as I looked out my window, I saw a red fox approaching a group of deer that were feeding at our neighbor’s house across the street (unfortunately, they put out feed for them). There were about six deer, a couple of which were relatively young. As they ate, the fox obviously wanted to get in on the action. I watched as he circled nearby, looking to see if he could get to the food. Soon the deer stopped eating. The next thing they did was group together, facing the fox. Then the largest of them stepped out and stepped towards the fox.  

What I was now watching was a standoff.  The deer stood still facing the fox. The fox stood facing the deer. Then the one that had stepped out, took another step forward and the fox took a step back. When the deer took a third step forward, the fox, now realizing he was not going to get through and get to the food, turned around and took off. I’ve never seen anything like it. Talk about putting up resistance and chasing away the enemy! 

The Apostle James wrote, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 – NIV) Peter wrote, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith….” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

We as followers of Jesus must be aware that there is an enemy who wants to draw us away from our faith in Jesus and lead us into sin. He would love to take from us that which is rightfully ours. And he is cunning, deceptive, and can be powerful. But we don’t need to go into retreat mode. After all, as the Bible says, “…the one who is in you (Jesus!) is greater than the one who is in the world (the devil)” (1 John 4:4) 

When we face the enemy of our souls, we can do as did those deer with that fox. We need not turn and run. We need not give into his temptations. Nor do we need to hand over to him what is not his.  Instead, we take our stand against him, “standing firm in the faith.” We resist him, facing him head on. And we say “no” to him and to the temptations he would bring our way. 

Let me encourage you today to stand firm against the enemy of your soul, as you hold onto your faith in Jesus. Remember the story of “The Fox and the Deer!”

Have a great day. 

- Pastor Tim Harris 

PS - Read Matthew 4:1-11 to see how Jesus resisted the devil in the desert.