Genesis 4:1-16
"If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."
Genesis 4:7
Genesis 4:7
Required Reading
Devotional
Have you ever given thought to that voice, that inner feeling that we all get when we know we're about to do something wrong? Maybe as a follower of Jesus, you attribute that feeling to the Holy Spirit. But what about that time before you followed Jesus?
Think back to the time before you knew Jesus as your savior. Do you remember a time when you just knew you shouldn't take something that didn't belong to you without asking?
Do you remember feeling guilty for calling someone a rude name?
Did you ever feel a prompting to not attend a party or not go on a date because something just didn't feel right?
That feeling is described in Genesis 4. But just before we explore that more, I think it's important to recognize that this passage marks the beginning of a broken world. It is the first in a LONG list of examples of mankind's battle with our sin nature and God's grace towards us. I thought this was a good summary here:
Think back to the time before you knew Jesus as your savior. Do you remember a time when you just knew you shouldn't take something that didn't belong to you without asking?
Do you remember feeling guilty for calling someone a rude name?
Did you ever feel a prompting to not attend a party or not go on a date because something just didn't feel right?
That feeling is described in Genesis 4. But just before we explore that more, I think it's important to recognize that this passage marks the beginning of a broken world. It is the first in a LONG list of examples of mankind's battle with our sin nature and God's grace towards us. I thought this was a good summary here:
As described in the video, what transpires in Genesis 4 is just the beginning of what is going to be an endless number of vile acts committed by humanity. We will continue to unpack that throughout our reading plan but I find it important to set the stage for what we are going to witness.
That being said, what has always been fascinating to me about Genesis 4 is that Cain has that doesn't feel right moment just before he chooses to murder his brother. He hears a warning directly from God to not succumb to his fleshly desires but chooses to do so anyway.
That being said, what has always been fascinating to me about Genesis 4 is that Cain has that doesn't feel right moment just before he chooses to murder his brother. He hears a warning directly from God to not succumb to his fleshly desires but chooses to do so anyway.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent? If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
Whether you believe in God or not, it's universally believed that there is something inside us that knows right from wrong. Psychologists term this idea moral intuitionism or ethical intuitionism. I would argue that is the Spirit of God whispering a fair warning into our ear.
The real question is, why don't we listen to that warning? Whatever you believe about where that voice comes from, why do we often ignore it and instead submit to our own flesh?
Today, take time to reflect on why we tend to ignore the voice of warning offered to us prior to sin. Ask God to reveal to you His truth and equip you with the evidence to support it for both yourself, and for others you know.
The real question is, why don't we listen to that warning? Whatever you believe about where that voice comes from, why do we often ignore it and instead submit to our own flesh?
Today, take time to reflect on why we tend to ignore the voice of warning offered to us prior to sin. Ask God to reveal to you His truth and equip you with the evidence to support it for both yourself, and for others you know.
Reflection Questions
- How do you typically experience that "inner voice" of warning? Is it a feeling, a thought, or something else?
- The devotional mentions that this moral intuition is universally recognized. How might this be evidence for God's existence or His imprint on humanity?
- Read Genesis 4:6-7 again. What stands out to you about God's warning to Cain?
- Why do you think we often ignore the warnings we receive before sinning? What are some common rationalizations we use?
- How does recognizing this "voice of warning" as the Holy Spirit change how we approach temptation and decision-making?
- Can you remember an experience where heeding this inner warning helped you avoid a harmful situation or decision?
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