“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” (Genesis 4:8).
TEXT — Genesis 4:8-24
Message
Stories abound of people harmed or murdered by their friends or relatives just because they were more successful. In Nigeria, a young man planned the kidnap of his elder brother because he claimed the latter was not interested in helping him. The young man told the kidnappers not to kill his brother. Unfortunately, his elder brother was killed while arguing with the kidnappers. The younger brother who planned the dirty business was later arrested and jailed. For their family, it became a double loss.
Today’s passage centres on the mischievous conduct of Cain. He killed his brother, Abel, because his offering was rejected while that of his brother was accepted. Like other vices, envy, jealousy and anger are products of the fallen human nature. Instead of seeking to amend his ways, Cain was angry with his brother for doing well before God. To show that the Almighty is not partial, He asked him, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” As a result of Cain’s detestable depravity, God placed a curse on him.
The twin sinful emotions of jealousy and envy constitute a serious moral disease that drives a person to develop passionate hatred for another who is better than him in a way. Jealousy and envy are dangerous emotions that inflict harm not only on the target but also on the aggressor. They separate friends, divide families and threaten fellowships. But, like the case of Cain, sinners will not go unpunished.
When we realise the presence of jealousy or envy in our lives, we should penitently turn to God for pardon and cleansing. He will forgive and grant us grace to overcome such sinful tendencies and be grateful for who we are and what we have.
Thought for the day
Bring your envious heart to the foot of the cross for cleansing in Christ’s blood.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
5 comments
The reason(s) Cain’s offering was rejected was not told in this story. But what was important is that you should watch your reactions when you are rejected. You should not retaliate, rebel, resist; but relax, rejoice for all things will work together for your good in the process of time, as report everything to God: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear…Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” 1Peter 1:17; 4:19; Matthew 6:18
The reason(s) Cain’s offering was rejected was not told in this story. But what was important is that you should watch your reactions when you are rejected. You should not retaliate, rebel, resist; but relax, rejoice for all things will work together for your good in the process of time, as report everything to God: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear…Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” 1Peter 1:17; 4:19; Matthew 6:18
The reason(s) Cain’s offering was rejected was not told in this story. Note: the Lord has prerogatives on that!
In drawing lessons from that you should watch your reactions when you are rejected for reasons you don’t know. Do not retaliate, rebel, resist; but rather relax, rejoice for all things will work together for your good in the process of time -as you report everything to God in prayer: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear…Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” 1Peter 1:17; 4:19; Matthew 6:18 .
This app is great. But the “Download from the App Store” icon is not responding. Kindly advise on how IOS users can download this app on their devices.
The reason(s) Cain’s offering was rejected was not told in this story. But what was important is that you should watch your reactions when you are rejected. You should not retaliate, rebel, resist; but relax, rejoice for all things will work together for your good in the process of time, as report everything to God: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear…Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” 1Peter 1:17; 4:19; Matthew 6:18
The reason(s) Cain’s offering was rejected was not told in this story. But what was important is that you should watch your reactions when you are rejected. You should not retaliate, rebel, resist; but relax, rejoice for all things will work together for your good in the process of time, as report everything to God: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear…Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” 1Peter 1:17; 4:19; Matthew 6:18
The reason(s) Cain’s offering was rejected was not told in this story. Note: the Lord has prerogatives on that!
In drawing lessons from that you should watch your reactions when you are rejected for reasons you don’t know. Do not retaliate, rebel, resist; but rather relax, rejoice for all things will work together for your good in the process of time -as you report everything to God in prayer: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear…Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” 1Peter 1:17; 4:19; Matthew 6:18 .
Am blessed 🙏
I really appreciate the Daily manna it’s encouraging me and my family everyday, May God continue to guide us by his word in Jesus name
Dear Team,
This app is great. But the “Download from the App Store” icon is not responding. Kindly advise on how IOS users can download this app on their devices.