“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” – Genesis 4:6-7 (NLT)
In which area of our lives is God prompting us to change and what are we doing about it? It’s always easy and convenient to see other people’s faults and never once reflect on our own actions towards others. Believe me, I’ve been guilty of this many times!
God must have been observing the behaviour and attitude of both brothers prior to offering or presenting their sacrifices. It would appear Cain was already steeped in wrongdoing before presenting his sacrifice to God.
God, first respected or looked with favour on the person, then on his offering. There must have been something deficient or lacking in Cain’s attitude which reflected in his offering. It could be his attitude towards work, his brother Abel, his parents or even towards God Himself.
Although the Bible did not expressly state this, however, God’s statement would suggest this. God said to Cain, “…You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you…”
To “do what is right” is to retrace our steps and to consider our ways. To find out where we’ve gone wrong or missed the mark, and then amend our ways and intentions accordingly.
God corrects, reproves, and disciplines us through the pages of His word and through His Holy Spirit. God’s gentle persuasion and encouragement for Cain to rein in his bad attitude, fell on deaf ears. He went on to murder his brother.
We need to watch out and guard against wrong attitudes, pride, arrogance and being obdurate.
God is faithful and caring. He will not allow us to continue in a path that the enemy will eventually use to destroy our testimony.
Let’s remember that the enemy plans to kill, steal and destroy. He plans to scupper God’s purpose and plan for our lives. We must rule over the enemy’s plans through the power of the Holy Spirit and the power in the name of Jesus Christ.
“For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, there’ll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it’ll be too late to help them.” Proverbs 29:1 (The Message)
Another version says, “He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized), will suddenly be broken beyond repair.” Proverbs 29:1 (Amplified)
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1 (NLT)
God is not so much interested in our physical or material sacrifices. Our focus should always be on presenting our whole life as a living sacrifice to the Lord.
Happy New Year!
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 