If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. Genesis 4:7
Cain was working late.
Another day was drawing to a close. But today was different. As he continued to work in the field, Cain’s mind was racing. What would he tell his parents? How could he explain what had happened? How could he tell them that he had killed his only brother Abel? They would not even understand. And yet, it was all Abel’s fault really. He had always made him so mad. Pretending to be good, Abel managed to do all the right things and make him look bad.
And today was just the final straw. God had required both of them to offer sacrifices. And when they had brought their offerings, God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and not his! How come Abel is the one who is always right and accepted and not he? This just had to end.
Even as Cain was re-living the events of the day, there came the unmistakable voice of God cutting through the silence, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ Cain though taken aback, retorts ‘I don’t know’ and quickly added the now infamous counter query – ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’
Sin has a way of creeping in on us. Sin steals our peace of mind. Sin makes us touchy and defensive. The decision to kill his brother Abel was a build-up of resentment and jealousy. Temptations are a given in this fallen world. God’s Word says we are to resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7).
What sin is lurking near your heart’s door today?
Lord help me recognize and resist sin every day, I pray.
Extended Reading – Genesis 4-7
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