Read:Genesis 4:3-5

In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Reflect:

Do I desire to honor God? Most of us would answer the question with an emphatic yes, but what do my day to day activities have to say about it? Think of the powerful choices we face everyday. Will I honor God, my wife, my family, my employer?

As I read through the account of Cain and Abel, I noticed the compassion and kindness God showed Cain –

“The LORD said to Cain, Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-8).  He encouraged Cain to “do well”, but warned that sin is “crouching at the door.”

Crouching at the Door

Notice that God didn’t remove the problem as He warned Cain. The temptation of sin remained as it does for us, but there is good news.

God tells Cain and He tells us “you must rule over it.”

Was God giving Cain a false choice? Notice that Cain doesn’t repent. Cain doesn’t call on God for help. He goes on his own way and loses his battle.

Respond:

But we have One within us who is able to help us to do well by ruling over the sin choice. With that in mind, lean on this verse today as we overcome ourselves and the temptations we face.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)