Really Do The Right Thing.

In reflecting on this past Sunday's sermon, I found my thoughts turning to Old and New Testament passages that give us examples of how dangerous it is to give in to temptation. Today let's consider a conversation between the LORD and Cain.

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast? Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it." (Genesis 4:6-7)

The LORD first addresses Cain in response to Cain's offering, which was unacceptable to God. And the implication in God's opening statement, "Why are you angry?", is that Cain himself knew the offering was unacceptable. In other words, "Cain, why are you pouting? You really expect Me to accept this? You know better."

God's second statement contained the "how-to": how to be positioned to experience shalom, true peace. "If you do what is right, you will be fine." Implied in the statement is that Cain was aware of what it meant to "do right".

Next, our Lord reiterated the how-to by explaining its opposite: "If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door." Here we see an amazing connection between unacceptable worship and the entrance of sin into the life of the worshipper. Slipshod worship is an entryway for the influence of the demonic.

And fourth, God reveals the plan of the devil and how that plan can be thwarted: "It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it." Acceptable worship is a means of preventing the devil from having inroads into our lives. It gives us the means necessary to avoid being dominated by sin.

Thank You Lord, that You always show Your people the way of escape. Please give us Your grace so that we will not give in to temptation. But, if Your divine will demands that we face temptation, please stay close to us and cause us to experience Your deliverance. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.