In India, farmers had problems with monkeys stealing their crops so they designed a trap to catch them. They would tie a coconut to the side of a tree, cut a small hole inside the coconut and place a banana within the hole. When a monkey would smell the banana, it would stick its hand inside the hole to grab the fruit, but the hole was too small to let the monkey get both its hand and the banana out. Unwilling to let go of the banana, the monkey would stay in the same spot until it got caught.
In the same way, we can sometimes refuse to let go of things that are not good for us.
Here are four things that are not worth holding onto:
- The need to always be right – We can be right with the facts but completely wrong in our attitude or in our timing. The Pharisees were technically right in bringing the woman caught in adultery to Jesus, but they were totally wrong in the heart behind the action. Try this – Seek to understand before seeking to be understood
- Being isolated – Elijah was alone in a cave in 1 Kings 19. Isolation tends to cause us to be delusional in our thinking as it did with Elijah. It also increases the likelihood of developing harmful habits and addictions. 1 John 1:7 gives us the motivation to come out of the cave of isolation. It says “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” As we spiritually connect with others, it will catalyze victory for us. Try this – Be a part of a growth group – commit to a group of believers and regularly connect.
- The need to keep things the way they are – Again, the Pharisees could not embrace Jesus and the new season he represented because they were more focused on preserving the past. The fear of change blocks many from being a part of what God is doing now. Try this – Regularly ask the Holy Spirit this question: What are the new things You are doing?
- Wrong definitions of success – Success is not a goal to be attained, but it is a state of being. If we need anything outward to cause us to believe we are successful, then we really aren’t successful. Great leaders become successful in their beliefs before they become successful externally.
Let’s not “monkey around” by holding on to things that restrict our victory and influence. Instead, let’s ask God to help us let go of the things we need to let go of.
adapted from a blog by Steve Backlund October 15th 2021