How to Deal with Fox-Like People in Your Life

Do you have people around you who exhibit fox-like qualities? Do you know how to deal with them? Perhaps you also have some crafty characteristics? Let's delve into these "foxes" today.

Looking at the bright side, foxes are fast and naturally inquisitive creatures. However, on the downside, they exhibit a clever and deceitful nature. Individuals with fox-like characteristics lack honesty and excel at hiding their motives and strategies to achieve their self-centered objectives.

Recently, I noticed a person evolving into a cunning character. Gradually, person's sly tendencies grew more adept and deceitful. I was simply an observer until, during a moment of prayer, I saw a large fox in front of the individual. This served as a spiritual warning to stay vigilant in prayer and to seek guidance on how to handle "foxes" in my life. Understanding that many individuals, including myself, can exhibit cunning behaviors at times, I sought wisdom on how to address the sudden emergence of heightened deceitfulness.

While searching for wisdom, I recalled the instance when Jesus referred to Herod as a fox; “At that time, some Pharisees approached Jesus and warned him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’ Jesus responded, “Go tell that fox…” - Luke 13:31-32 NIV. I reflected on this story for a few days. The deeper I reflected on it, the more I examined my own heart and identified various individuals exhibiting a cunning nature. 

From my observation, individuals who exhibit a cunning attitude tend to prefer working discreetly. Consequently, others tend to reciprocate by engaging in behind-the-scenes manipulation as well. Jesus appears to counter Herod's cunning with a different attitude. Instead of being intimidated, Jesus identifies Herod as the cunning individual he is, calling him a fox. Furthermore, Jesus confidently proclaims, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” - Luke 13:32-33 NIV

Learning from Jesus' example, as we encounter challenges presented by "foxes" in our midst, it is important to prioritize transparency, both within ourselves and in our surroundings. When faced with challenges from foxes, let us correctly identify their deceitful motives as "cunning foxes." Let us uncover the hidden intentions of cunning individuals seeking selfish gains. By accurately labeling these foxes, we diminish their ability to engage in secretive, alluring, and manipulative dealings conducted in the shadows. Nevertheless, we should not end our efforts there.

Let us confidently proclaim our commitment to following the path of Jesus in promoting the kingdom of God. Let us affirm our refusal to accept deceitfulness and our determination to walk in the light of Jesus. Real change in our families and communities starts with our own transformation from deceitfulness to transparency.

Let us pray together:

Holy Spirit, please search our hearts and reveal any concealed darkness, including deceitful character traits. Jesus, you are the light that shines in our hearts, and we invite your light to increase. Like David, we seek a pure heart and clean hands. We also seek wisdom in dealing with deceitful pitfalls presented by people in our midst. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen