To despise little things is to show oneself utterly ignorant of the philosophy of life. The phrase "little sins," common though it be, is highly unscriptural, highly immoral. In the Bible you will frequently find such sins as lying, slander, and selfishness classed with sins like drunkenness, theft or murder. The former are represented as equally effective with the latter in excluding from the kingdom of God.
I. It is curious to notice that the very characteristics which commonly earn for a sin the name of little, are often just the characteristics which in reality enhance its sinfulness, and render it pre-eminently worthy of being called great. For example, an ingenious prevarication would be usually considered far less sinful than a downright awkward falsehood. But the kernel of truth which it contains makes it moresinful, not less. It shows its perpetrator to be a cultivated liar. Judged, too, by its effects, it may often be discovered to be a lie of surpassing magnitude.
II. The sins of which we are speaking not only cause a vast amount of suffering, but they have the most fatal effect upon character. A great sin, severely punished and bitterly repented of, is not all likely to be repeated. The sins which seem to be little, just for that very reason, and also because they are generally unpunished, are likely to be first of all ignored by a man, and then repeated, till at last their total effect may be to render his character hopelessly and irretrievably bad. A number of very little sins will make a very great sinner.
III. Our so-called little sins have the most fatal moral effect upon the characters of others. They are just the sins which others will be likely to imitate. The average man is more likely to be infected by such a sin as scandal than he is to be infected by such a sin as theft. Therefore these little sins do the most widespread moral mischief in society.
IV. If we desire to form for ourselves a perfect character, a studied avoidance of little sins is of the first importance. Our habits depend upon the way in which we comport ourselves; not in great and startling emergencies, but rather under the simple, common circumstances of our common daily life. Everything we do or say leaves us somewhat different from our former selves, and is productive of good or evil to numbers of our fellow-men. Every action we perform, every word we utter, every thought we think, has wide-spreading, far-reaching effects effects that will eternally endure. Stand in awe and sin not.
A. W. Momerie, The Origin of Evil, and Other Sermons,p. 86.
I. Consider the text as addressed to the individual. (1) The evils, the capture of which is here urged, are such as the following: Ostentation, concealment, the easily offended and unforgiving spirit, fear of man and men-pleasing, anxiety, and all such plausible errors in doctrine and specious deviations from truth as affect principle and conduct. (2) The good which may be marred is of this kind: The subjects of Christ's kingdom are born from above; we may expect in them heavenly-mindedness. They are born of God, and we may look to them for godliness. The fruit, in this case, is the fruit of righteousness, sown in place of them that make peace. (3) This good may thus be marred: The pursuit of religious information may be checked. The judgment may be perverted or corrupted. The conscience may be blunted or defiled. The energy of holy principle may be impaired. The lustre of reputation may be dimmed. (4) Such mischief ought to be prevented or cured. Take the foxes. Make impending evil captive, and, if possible, destroy it.
II. Contemplate the text as addressed to the churches of Christ. Take the foxes: govern the tongue, cleanse the hands, purify the heart. Have light in your countenance and salt in yourselves, that you may live together and act together with joy and with profit.
S. Martin, Rain upon the Mown Grass,p. 43.
It is only man's littleness which discovers no importance in trifles. Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle. The most deplorable failures in Christian consistency and uprightness may, generally, be traced back to a very small departure from duty. Little sins are as wrong as larger ones, and in the end come to the same thing. They are, in fact, the foxes that spoil the vines.
What are some of these little sins which mar our happiness or hinder our usefulness?
I. At the head of the list may be placed a sour and crabbed temper.
II. Another little sin to be watched against, is the giving way to ease and self-indulgence.
III. Dishonesty in our ordinary dealings may be named as another example of little sins.
IV. Another little sin is jealousy. It is a weakness which few would confess that they have yielded to, and yet multitudes are made miserable by its evil influence.
In religious character there is nothing unimportant, and the smallest inlets of sin should be carefully closed. Earnest prayer and dilligent effort should be employed, that the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts may be more thorough and pervading.
J. N. Norton, Golden Truths,p. 348.
References: Song of Solomon 2:15. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 151; J. Vaughan, Children's Sermons,1875, p. 21; Expositor,3rd series, vol. iii., p. 63; T. T. Shore, The Life of the World to come,p. 215; T. Champness, Little Foxes,p. 7; J. M. Neale, Sermons on the Song of Songs,p. 106.