DO NOT LET SIN CONTROL US

Adam and Eve had a new beginning in this fallen world. Eve gave birth to two sons: Abel and Cain. Abel became a shepherd, while Cain became a farmer. When the harvest came, Cain offered some of his crops as a gift to the LORD, and Abel also brought the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock as his offering. Both of them offered offerings to the Lord as an act of worship to the Lord. However, God accepted Abel's offering, but He rejected Cain's offering. Cain then was very angry, so God talked to him. Genesis 4:6-7 says, "'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). Hebrews 11:4 gives us more explanation of the reason God accepted Abel's offering. It says, "It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel's offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.”

We can learn from Cain and Abel that in worshiping God, we can only worship God according to His ways. God's way is the right way. We cannot force our way to God's way, no matter how we think or feel that God is love. He will only accept our worship if we do what he says. Cain did not do what is right in worshiping God. He tried to worship God according to his ways; as a result, God did not accept his worship. Cain refused to do what was right, and allowed sin to control him. In this new world that Adam and Eve and their children were living in, sin had the upper hand against them because of their sinful nature. When Adam and Eve sinned, they received a sinful nature that had been passed down to all human race. The other word for sinful nature is flesh. Although Cain had a sinful nature, he could still overcome it by not allowing sin to control him. He must choose to do what is right. Abel chose to do what is right, but Cain didn't. For us, we must choose to worship God according to His ways. If not, God will not accept our worship. The only way to know if we are worshiping God properly is by following what His Word says.

We can only worship God through faith in our Lord Jesus. The reason is that Jesus was the only way to our Heavenly Father. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Any religion that does not believe Jesus is the only way to God the Father is not a true path to God, because it goes against the Word of God.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How do I worship God? Do I allow sin to control me? What lesson can I learn from today's devotion?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I ask for your forgiveness if I allow sin to control me. Please help me to do what is right before you. When temptations come my way, please help me to stand for what is acceptable to you. Please help me to say no to sin. Please continue to renew my mind and change my heart. Thank you for teaching me today that the only way to worship you is according to your ways. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.