I have heard about this type of story at least a couple of different ways. I would like to share one of them.

Monkey trappers in North Africa have a clever method of catching their prey. A number of gourds are filled with nuts and firmly fastened to a branch of a tree. Each gourd has a hole just large enough for the unwary monkey to stick his forepaw into it. When the hungry animal discovers the nuts, it quickly grasps a handful, but the hole in the gourd is too small for him to withdraw his clenched fist. All the monkey has to do is open up its hand and let go in order to escape, but it refuses! So, it is easily taken captive. (Got this version of the story from my cousin and brother David Sargent)

Aren’t we just like the monkeys? We grab and won’t let go. We hold on even if it kills us. We see the prize and don’t think about the consequences. The next thing we know is that we wake up in jail, or with an addiction, or losing our family, friends or even ourselves.

Only by the Spirit of God can we overcome. Only by being receptive to the Spirit will we have the power to let go. Pray. Be wise. Think before you hold on. Let go if you have hold of an ungodly thing. God will bless you.

Sid