Killing the Duck

SALLY and Jack went to their grandpa’s house to visit. While they were there, Grandpa took them out to teach Jack how to use a slingshot. Jack was really good at it. After a little while, Grandpa went off, and by accident, Jack threw a rock with the slingshot, hit one of Grandpa’s ducks in the head, and killed it.

Sally said, “Ooh, I am going to tell.” Terrified, Jack cried, “Please don’t tell.” Sally agreed and they went back to the house. When the kids arrived, Grandma announced that she and Sally would clean up the house.

With a sly look, Sally said, “Grandma, Jack would love to do the dishes, wouldn’t you, Jack? Jack doesn’t mind doing the dishes. In fact, Jack, tell Grandma how much you love doing dishes.” Jack said, “Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, Grandma, I like doing dishes.”

Determined to get a bunch of housework done, Grandma continued, “Well then, Sally we’re going to vacuum the floor.” “Grandma,” Sally replied, “let me tell you about Jack and vacuuming. That boy is a natural-born vacuum person. Come on, Jack, tell Grandma how much you like to vacuum.”

Grimacing, Jack said through his teeth, “Grandma, I love being a vaccumer. Yeah, I do.” “Well, then we’re going to dust the house.”

“Oh, dust the house, Grandma? Jack, tell her how much you like dusting the house.” Jack was boiling now. “Yeah, I like dusting the house.”

He knew he was trapped, not only for now but for the rest of his life. Later that day, well after Jack had done more than his share of the work assigned to the two grandchildren, Grandpa said, “Jack, come here.

I saw that little episode earlier today. Let me tell you something, Jack. I know about the duck, but I didn’t say anything, because I wanted to see how long you were going to let Sally make you her slave.

All you had to do to keep her from holding you hostage was to tell me what you had done.” God knows that you’ve killed the duck. You don’t have to hide it. Satan wants you to remember that you killed the duck and hold you hostage to your guilt.

By confessing our sin to God and allowing Him to forgive us, we can release Satan’s hold on us.