Wet Monkeys In The Church - T. Butler

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phi 3:13,14)

Sometime ago I read about a zoo that conducted a behavior experiment with some monkeys. They removed the monkeys from the cage and then placed a bunch of bananas in the top of an artificial tree that had been placed in their cage.


The monkeys were put back into the cage one at a time. The first monkey came in and saw the bananas and began to climb the tree. Upon doing so the zoo attendants sprayed the monkey with cold water, which caused him to screech and run to the corner of the cage. A little while later he attempted to get the bananas and once again he was sprayed. After several sprayings he quit trying for the bananas.


A second monkey was let in who quickly noticed the wet monkey in the corner but just as quickly saw the bananas and headed straight for them. As you can imagine the second monkey got the same treatment as the first and finally surrendered into the corner with the first monkey, both wet, confused and frightened.


The interesting part happened when the third monkey was let in the cage. He quickly sees the two wet and frightened monkeys in the corner but also sees the bananas and heads straight for them. Only this time no water was needed because the other two monkeys darted to him and began to pull at him and wouldn’t let him up the tree. After a while the third monkey quit attempting to get the bananas and surrendered into the corner with the other two.


Though this behavior was seen in the zoo, I have seen it in the church. Not people being squirt with a hose but people who at one time sought God’s best for their lives but quit after they were squirt with accusation, discouragement, hurt, unbelief, or something else.
These people not only stopped their own spiritual progress but also began to impede others.

You know the old saying “Misery loves company”. As new believers come into the church these wet monkeys do all they can to prevent them from making spiritual progress. They let the new believers know that they are idealists and that the bananas can’t be had. They keep pulling and impeding others until they as well merely look at the bananas as an unattainable goal.


These wet monkeys in the church are satisfied with religious form and traditions but lack vital, deep intimacy with Jesus Christ. After all, they tried for the bananas one time but discovered it can’t be had so now it is their job to prevent all others from attaining to that goal.
Perhaps you know people like that in the church. Perhaps you are one. I just want to say to all the saints, “Go for the Bananas!” They are yours to be had and enjoyed. It matters not what all happens to you in the process. Don’t let wet monkeys rob you. Let no man hinder you in your pursuit. God bless you all.