ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

LETTING GO OF SIN

Men who catch animals in Africa for zoos and preserves say that one of the hardest animals to catch is the ring-tailed monkey. For the Zulus of that continent, however, it’s very simple. They’ve been catching this agile little animal with ease for years.

The method the Zulus use is based on knowledge of the animal. Their trap is nothing more than a melon growing on a vine. The seeds of this melon are a favorite of the monkey. Knowing this, the Zulus simply cut a hole in the melon, just large enough for the monkey to insert his hand to reach the seeds inside.

The monkey will stick his hand in, grab as many seeds as he can, then start to withdraw it. This he cannot do. His fist is now larger than the hole. The monkey will pull and tug, screech and fight the melon for hours. But he can’t get free of the trap unless he gives up the seeds, which he refuses to do.

That's the danger of sin! When we refuse to release the sin we're hanging on to - unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, etc. - we're easy prey for Satan.

1 Timothy 3:7 and 2 Timothy 2:26 both refer to a snare, to a trap, set by the devil. When I refuse to forgive, when I refuse to let go, the devil becomes the monkey hunter and I become the monkey.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

…..Charles Swindoll “Living Above the Level of Mediocrity" by way of "The Daily Encourager" (dlangerfeld@harrisburgbaptist.org) “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net