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

The method that 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 which are a favorite snack of the monkey. 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 of the seeds as he can, then start to withdraw it. This he cannot do, since his fist is now larger than the hole. The monkey will pull and tug, screeching and fighting the melon for hours. However, he can’t get free of the trap unless he gives up the seeds, which he refuses to do. Meanwhile, the Zulus sneak up and nab him.

We can’t help but laugh at the foolish monkey! If he only would let go he would be free. But no, his love for the seeds causes him to lose his freedom.

There is a similar trap that has been set today. People, like the monkey, are foolishly holding on to things which are costing them their freedom. There are many paths that lead to this trap. One of the paths is the “deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22). People are deceived into thinking that money brings happiness. They make every effort to be rich and accumulate all that they can. Another path is “the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). Many have tried drugs, alcohol, sex, entertainment, and other things which they feel will give them a thrill. One more path that leads to this trap is seeking fame or popularity through sports, politics, partying, rebellious behavior, or in the way they dress.

So what is the trap? It is that holding on to these things blinds people to the danger that faces them. Unlike the monkey, who is put into a cage and fed and cared for the rest of his life, these people are in danger of being bound by the cords of sin in the lake of fire for an endless eternity. Even now the pleasures of sin make a person a slave to sin. Jesus said, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34).

Who is the one who has set the trap? It is none other than the Devil—Satan himself. In the following quotation from the Bible, he is called the god of this world: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). Satan uses the things of this world to blind people to their present lost condition and to the good news which would set them free. They are oblivious to the facts stated so clearly in God’s Word, the Bible, that:

1. All have sinned (Romans 3:23).

2. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

3. After death the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Have you faced these facts, or have you fallen for Satan’s trap? Are you holding on to something which is making you either ignore or forget these solemn facts? Remember that these facts are revealed and made plain in the Bible. Many laugh at the Bible today and make fun of those who believe what it says, but this does not change the truth that it contains. “For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:3,4).

The good news that we would like to share is that God has provided a Saviour for you. This Saviour is God’s own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. By His death on Calvary’s cross you may now be set free from the bondage of sin.

What do you need to do to be set forever free from the bondage of sin and from Satan’s trap? Jesus said, “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Receive what God says and simply believe in that One who died for you upon Calvary’s cross. Repent, accepting the fact that you are a lost sinner on the way to judgment. Then “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

If you are holding on to something that is keeping you from recognizing your need of Christ—let go! Don’t let Satan blind you to your need and to the good news of God’s love for you. Come to the Lord Jesus now while there is still time. Tomorrow may be too late. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

—John D. McNeil

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