Song of Solomon 2:15 says that it is the little foxes that spoil the vine. In Old Testament times there were vineyards with hedges around them. If a small critter made a hole, it was an opportunity for the next size animal to burrow in.

Think of little foxes as irritations, slights, offenses, resentments, or bitter root judgments. These things run ship shod and knock off our tiny blossoms that are a promise of fruit.

I like the picturesque words of Proverbs 24:30-31. They described an unkempt vineyard. Verse 31 says, “And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down.”

Guarding our heart is synonymous with keeping the hedge around our vineyard in good repair. It means that when we are slighted, we ward off neglecting to remain in gratitude. When we feel irritated or offended, we make sure that there is no little hole left for the enemy to enlarge.