When the sons of Adam brought their offerings before the Lord, only one was acceptable ... Abel's choicest lamb. Cain’s unwillingness to obey God’s instruction caused his gift to be rejected. He knew what was expected, yet chose to establish his own manner of worship.
And then, instead of acknowledging his transgression ... Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. (Genesis 4:5)
The Lord graciously allowed him an opportunity to make up for his misdeed and gave Cain a solemn warning ... 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 4:7)
He was given a choice: either let sin get the better of him, or surrender his anger and repent. Tragically, God's admonition fell on deaf ears. Cain rose up and slew his brother ... And for what reason did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil, but his brother’s were righteous. (1 John 3:12)
He failed to heed the Lord's sincere warning that ... 'sin is crouching at your door'. The phrase refers to a predator eagerly waiting to pounce on its prey. Cain let sin spring on him, become his master, and rule over him.
Sin is like that wild animal waiting for its next victim. Peter described it as an ongoing threat (personified in Satan) ... Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
If you submit yourself to God's perfect will and resist the temptation to go your own way (just like the Lord urged Cain to do), your walk of faith will be a sure-footed, blessed spiritual journey.
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