When Sin is the Master

Background info on the passage: This account focuses on Cain who is the older brother. Of the 10 times Abel is referenced, seven of those refer to him as Cain’s brother. Because the focus is on the interaction between the brothers, the other children of Adam and Eve are not mentioned. While absent from this narrative, it is important to know they exist.

The phrase “in the course of time” in v. 3 is also important. The modern reader goes from verse 1 to verse 4 in an instant, but a span of years has passed, possibly 120 plus years (see Genesis 5:3-4)

Explanation: A contrast is made between the offerings of the brothers. Cain is a tiller of the soil and Abel is a herder of sheep. The professions are both honorable; the problem was not that Cain brought of the ground while Abel brought a blood sacrifice. The problem is in the attitudes of the worshipers.

Abel brought of the firstborn, including the fat portions of the animals. In other words, Abel brought his best. We read in the book of Hebrews that Abel’s sacrifice was of faith (Hebrews 11:4), and his faith in God is evidenced by his actions.

Cain’s offering is simply described as an “offering of the fruit of the ground” (v. 3) and the text presents it as nothing special. Therein lies the problem - it was nothing special.

Illustrate: Associate pastor throwing me some chicken bones during a sermon at Sulphur to make a point about the insult in giving God the leftovers.

Argument: There is no reason to believe this is the first offerings the brothers brought to the LORD. This offering, however, was the one that brought God’s discipline on Cain. It is very possible that Cain had been slacking off in the offerings over a period of time. The point is that even though Cain knew better, he decided to do things his way instead of God’s way. His actions reveal his lack of trust in God.

When sin is the master, one gets angry when confronted with sin (vv. 5-7)

Explanation: The text informs us that the LORD “had no regard” for Cain’s offering. As a direct result, Cain gets angry with God and his countenance reveals his heart attitude. This is the turning point in the account - God brings Cain to an unmistakable time of decision. When God speaks about Cain’s anger, Cain can no longer pretend everything is OK.

God warns Cain against the dangers of being mastered by sin. God informs Cain that he can still be accepted if he is willing to repent and turn away from the sin. God also warns Cain that sin is like a wild animal crouching at his door (cf. 1 Peter 5:8). God is telling Cain that sin is trying to rule over him, and that sin will rule over him if he doesn’t repent of his prideful manner of living.

Argument: When sinners are confronted by their nature, they generally get angry with the messenger. Most people do NOT want to hear the truth about their spiritual standing before a Holy God. When we tell them, they get upset.

Illustrate: Don Ellis and the F.A.I.T.H. witnessing team with the lady from New York: “are you calling ME a sinner!?

Application: How do YOU respond to the Word of God when it declares that you are unrighteous and undone (Rom 3:9-10. 23) If you get mad at the messenger, you probably have a relationship issue with God.

When sin is the master, one is jealous of those who have approval from God (v. 8)

Explanation: Cain shows no sign of repentance. He remains angry with God for disapproving his offering, and he is jealous of his brother because God accepted Abel’s offering. The text of v. 8 doesn’t give many details, but the impression is that when Cain speaks to his brother, it is to set him up for what comes next. If this is true, Cain was acting in a premeditated manner when he murdered his brother.

Even believers can and do struggle with jealousy from time to time. It is still sin, and when we allow it to get the best of us, we need to repent. But, if your first and most common reaction to the success and well being of others is anger and jealousy, you are being mastered by sin.

When sin is the master, one refuses accountability for his or her actions and voices displeasure at any negative consequences (vv. 9-10)

Explanation: God asks Cain another rhetorical question. This one is designed to bring about a confession. Instead, Cain uses evasive tactics. He asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” which is a clear attempt to avoid any personal responsibility. Cain has just murdered his brother, and his response to God shows a complete lack of accountability.

God doesn’t let Cain off and He confronts Cain with the blood of his brother. God places an additional curse on Cain that is specific: from that point forward, the ground itself will be against Cain. Remember, Cain is a tiller of the soil, and his consequence directly impacts his way of making a living.

NOTE: God hears the voice of Abel’s blood crying out to Him. It is not possible for us to fully comprehend what the voices of hundreds of millions of aborted babies must sound like as they collectively cry out to God. ALL life is in the image of God and is sacred!]

Cain’s response to the consequences of his sin is noteworthy. Cain shows no remorse for taking the life of his brother, nor does he express any repentance or accountability for his actions. Instead, he is upset with God about the punishment. He says to God, “my punishment is greater than I can bear.”

This is another indicator of Cain’s true nature expressing itself.

1 John 3:10–12 KJV 1900

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

Becoming accepted by God (Gen 4:7a)

Explanation: God told Cain that he could be accepted just like his brother Abel. God told Cain, “if thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” God is showing Cain there is another path. God is also expressing His desire for Cain: God wants Cain to repent.

This is not a works-based approach to salvation. God is not telling Cain that if he would just bring a better offering, then He would accept him. This is about trusting God instead of self; this is about seeking God’s favor according to God’s revealed standard.

The text does not give us all the information that Adam had given to his boys. But we can know that both boys were given enough to please God with their lives.

We have God’s complete revelation and we are accountable for all of it. We know of the One redeeming sacrifice of Christ and we are aware that it is only through the substitutionary death and resurrection of Christ that gives us right standing with God.

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