How easy is it for us to look upon the fruitful lives of others, the Godly blessing of others, and begin to feel slighted, to feel jealous that we are not being blessed like others? This was Cain's struggle. He became so focused on his brothers' blessing and his own lack of blessing that it blinded him to heart issues he was having. He couldn't see that Abel had acted in faithful obedience and gave to God from the very best that he had, a true sacrifice motivated by a loving heart (1 Samuel 15:22 & 16:7). It was God who rejected Cain and his offering yet Cain's anger and rage was poured out on his innocent brother. Why? Could it be that when faced with his brothers' faithful obedience Cain was forced to see his own spiritual weaknesses? His lack of spiritual fervor and obedience became glaring and caused him to be jealous and angry. Rather then destroy the sin, it caused him to seek out and destroy the thing that caused his sin to be so evident in his own eyes. If Abel were gone then the outward reminder of his inward struggle would be removed as well. How much easier it is to remove the evidence of our sin rather then the sin itself.
The Lord's response to Cain is one that we should continually remember as sin is always crouching at our door, ready to take hold of our hearts: "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 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 master it." (Genesis 4:6-7). We all possess a spiritual compass within us that, when left unhampered, will guide us in our lives and help us to make right choices (Ecclesiastes 3:11, John 14:26). Cain's spiritual compass had begun to tarnish and corrode and he was letting sinful desires lead him instead. With his jealous anger he was in a dangerous position and sin was just waiting to consume him. Cain did not head the Lord's warning and his jealous anger turned to murder. Cain opened the door and sin pounced and took over his heart.
God says that we must learn to master our sins. Unless we take some time to honestly look at our hearts and ask God to help us see our hearts as He can see them we are in danger of those sins pouncing on us when we are unsuspecting and unprepared. Don't be fooled into thinking that we are better then Cain and incapable of falling into the same deceptions of the heart. Take some time this week to honestly answer the following questions. Keep your spiritual compass pointed toward God and His word and remember to always be striving towards becoming a master of your sin.
- What sin do I struggle with that can lead to more sin if left unattended?
- Do I loose focus and start looking at others when things don't go right in my life or when I see others being blessed more then I am when I am doing my best to live a righteous life?
- If Christ died to take away my sin then what does it mean to master my sin? Does the one contradict the other?
- How do I master my sin?
- How long does it take to become a master of my sin?
- What are the struggles I face as I try to master my sin?
- Does sin ever stop crouching at my door? Does it ever stop desiring my obedience?
Ephesians 4:17-32 and 5:1-2; Hebrews 12:1-13; Galatians 5:16-25 are a few passages you can use to get started in your understanding of mastering your sin.
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