Gorilla in Captivity

A few days ago, I went on a trip to the zoo with my youth group family. While I was there with my some of the youth, we came across a gorilla that did not want to cooperate with the picture (as you can see here on the left). However, what really caught my attention was something that one of my special girls asked me, while we looked at this gorilla. She asked, "Claudia, wouldn't it be crazy if we were the ones in the cage and the gorilla was watching us?" When she said this, I stopped to think because I have actually seen this, but in a different way. But how? When God created the world, he created a paradise for Adam and Eve, and he gave them authority, the privilege to live a perfect life free from all worries, accusations, etc. However, what happened? Eve gave in to the voice of the devil (thanks a lot Eve!) and she made Adam and herself fall into sin. When they did this, they voluntarily placed themselves in a cage. This cage has an exhibit title called "sin".

When a person gives in to the voice of the devil, through temptations, feelings, we fall into sin. When this happens, the authority that God gave you, now comes into the hands of the devil. Now, the devil uses your authority to control you, to dominate your life. In other words, he keeps you in a cage.

That is why there are so many people that struggle to leave the alcohol or drugs. They want to stop but they feel trapped. This is why that young lady who knows that guy is not from God, stays with him, because the devil uses the authority he now has, to dominate her through her heart. So, now I ask you, what cage have you been in? If I was to walk by your exhibit, what would be the title on the sign?

You don't need to remain in this cage, remember, Jesus died for you so you could be free. When we turn to Him, He breaks off the chains from arms and feet, He breaks open the cage to take us out. God did not make you so you would suffer, so you would be a slave to that problem. He wants to set you free. How much longer do you want to remain there, while the devil just stands there watching you in a cage ?

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

                                                                                          JAMES 4.7