Be Smarter than a Monkey (Elliott Sarnowski)

Scientists have done numerous studies on monkeys. In my reading there has always been one study which stuck out to me. Scientists took a jar filled with peanuts which had a corresponding lid with a hole in it. This hole matched perfectly with the exact size of the monkey’s hand. When the monkey was given the jar, he automatically put his hand through the perfectly made hole and grabbed a handful of peanuts. With the monkey’s hand full of peanuts it could no longer remove its hand from the jar to take pleasure in the snack.

The condition of our present World is frightening. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;”

(2 Timothy 3:1-4)

It’s the war as old as time, good vs. evil, and it seems that evil keeps winning more battles. In fact, our Western Culture demands this dilemma of godliness and worldliness; everywhere you go, and everything you do it seems we must guard ourselves. There are moments when you can only find safety from the battle within your own home. Even there your walls seem breached at times, and somehow worldliness creeps in to claim things.

Most disturbing about the present state of our world is that it’s gradually finding its way into Christian homes, even minister’s homes. Please allow me state a fact: You can not be a Christian and at the same time be sticking your hand into a proverbial jar of worldly pleasures. Either you will have your freedom, or you will be bound by the jar! It is your choice, there is no middle ground. Hate evil and love God. “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other…” (Luke 16:13)

The President of the United States has stuck his hand into the jar of popularity, money, and fame, only to find himself bound by it. Any minister or Christian, who promotes same-sex marriage, or homosexuality for that matter, is not a Christian at all. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have found themselves stuck in the jar, with no freedom, constrained by the decisions they are making to support President Obama in his declaration. Another proof of the ever decaying society we live in.

Make no mistake about it, we will be fought! We will be fought by our flesh and by the enemy. I find encouragement in this scripture. “…but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) We have the power to overcome sin, the blood of Jesus Christ.

Be smarter than a monkey; don’t put your hand into the jar. If you find yourself with your hand in the jar, be smarter than a monkey and release those pleasures so you can find freedom.