Creator, Father, King #45

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

WHAT WERE YOU AFRAID of most when you were younger? Spiders? Snakes? Heights? The doctor’s office? Being alone?

What about being in a dark room at night?

At some point in our childhood, most, if not all, of us were scared of what might be lurking in shadowy corners—in the closet, behind a door, or under the bed.

Of course, bedtime monsters aren’t real. However, there is a horrible monster lurking inside each of us. In fact, the Bible says it is “crouching at the door, eager to control you” (Genesis 4:7). Do you know what this hideous creature is?

It’s our sinful nature. And it manifested itself in a brutal way in Genesis 4.

What’s It Mean?

After leaving the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. One day, both of them brought sacrifices to God. Cain (a farmer) brought some of his crops, while Abel (a shepherd) brought the best portions of his flock’s firstborn lambs

The Lord received Abel’s gift, but rejected Cain’s (although Scripture doesn’t specify why). Cain was furious, and God admonished him: “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” (verse 7).

Shortly afterward, Cain killed Abel in a jealous rage—the first murder, only two generations into human history. That’s how depraved sin is. Cain completely disregarded God’s warning and let the monster of sin consume him.

Sin crouches at the doorstep of every person’s heart. But today’s verse masterfully illustrates the progressive nature of sin. Temptation isn’t sin. When you are tempted to disobey, you have a choice. You can give in and let your desires hatch into rebellion against God, or you can choose a righteous, obedient response.

As 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

Don’t crack open the door for the monster of sin. Slam it shut by God’s power!

Now What?

Read the entire account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-16.

Did You Know?

Psalm 119:11 shows us where to go to shut the door on sin’s temptation: “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”