Lessons on Forgiveness from a Monkey.

In Southeast Asia, monkeys are trapped in an unusual way. A trap is made by hollowing out a gourd. It has one opening, which is only large enough for the monkey to put his hand in. The gourd is tied or nail near the ground so it cannot move. Then, the hunter puts a piece of fruit inside for bait. When the monkey smells the fruit, he puts his hand inside to grab the bait. When he tries to pull the fruit out, he can’t because his closed fist is too large to pull out of the small hole. The monkey is trapped! It would be very easy to get away - simply let go of the bait. But the monkey will not let go. He is in terrible danger as the hunter approaches, but he will give up his freedom to keep holding onto the bait. If only the monkey knew the terrible price he was going to pay for refusing to let go of that bait!

Sadly, people are often the same way. Refusing to forgive someone is like the monkey refusing to let go of the bait. Unforgiveness brings terrible consequences to the one holding on to it. Unforgiveness is a sin and it often leads to more sin. It causes hatred, envy, bitterness and more. The unforgiveness truly holds that person captive.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
- Colossians 3:13 (New International Version)


Dear Lord we pray that we would truly forgive those in our live and that we wouldn’t hold that a disagreement against them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.