NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

CAIN AND ABEL (GENESIS 4:1-12)

REFLECTION

“Cain and Abel” is the theme for our reflection. Cain and Abel were the first two children of Adam and Eve. We shall reflect on two lessons. One, envy and anger breed wickedness, and an unrepentant and wicked person will never have peace. Two, let us be guided by the Word of God to overcome the temptation to disobey Him or do the forbidden.

Beloved in the Lord, we must be careful not to be consumed with envy and anger towards others lest we become wicked and unreasonable in our actions. Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know, ” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.” (Genesis 4:8-11) Let us never envy God’s favour and blessings in the lives of those who faithfully serve Him. We must rather be encouraged to emulate the examples of those who diligently please the Lord. Failure to overcome envy and anger may lead us to do evil against innocent people who are rather leaving their lives to please God. Abel never offended Cain in any way. He was focused on giving out his best to please God. They were both given the same opportunity to serve or present offerings out of their farms as sacrifices to the Lord. Abel pleased the Lord with His offerings, but Cain failed. “The LORD looked with favour on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering, he did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. (Genesis 4:4-5). Dear friend, instead of being envious and filled with anger and bitters towards others, rather channel the same energy to give your best to the Lord to please Him. We are never in competition with one another, each one of us has been blessed with resources and abilities and will be required to render account to the Lord as found in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. Continue to do your best in whatever the Lord has called you to do. We are not to outdo one another but outdo ourselves in pleasing the Lord. Let us stop gossiping and slandering against those who are diligently serving the Lord in our congregations. Let us stop undermining and conspiring scheming against those who are hardworking and are being promoted for their good works. Gossiping, slander, conspiracy, and abetment to destroy others are all the fruits of envy, anger, and bitterness. When we refuse to repent and continue to perpetrate evil against the innocent, we shall face the wrath of the Lord and may never find peace on this earth. Let us be wise and discerning and refrain from doing evil against innocent and diligent people.

Secondly, when our hearts are filled with anger and we are tempted to sin, we must allow our thoughts and heart to be guided by the Word of God so that we shall always please Him. If only Cain had listened to the Lord he would not have become a murderer. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 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 rule over it.” (Genesis 4:4-7). The Word must guide our thoughts and hearts, it is for this reason Paul wrote “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Psalmist has also taught the essence of the Word of God when he wrote “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. (Psalms 119:105-106) Beloved in the Lord, a daily dose of the Word of God is the antidote to the virus of envy, anger and bitterness that lead us to sin against our fellow human beings and God. Let us be guided by the Word of God daily. It is for this reason that we must never miss our morning devotion or daily prayer and Bible study session.

In summary, we have discovered that envy and anger breed wickedness, and an unrepentant and wicked person will never have peace. Again, we must be guided by the Word of God to overcome the temptation to disobey Him or do the forbidden. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, empower us to be guided by Scripture to overcome envy and anger. Strengthen us to fill our thoughts and hearts with the Word of God so that His will will be done in our lives. Amen.