Text: Genesis 4:7 KJV
Further Reading: James 1:12-15
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Genesis 4:7
MESSAGE
The devil is always looking for opportunities to pull a believer down. He never gives up on his three-fold mission to kill, steal and destroy. No matter how strong or hot you are, you must be on the watch out for sin.
The Bible told us the enemy of our souls uses schemes, tricks and evil strategies to pull us down. You must plead with God always for help. (Ephesians 6:11).
In our text of the day, God gave Cain a warning that sin lies in wait for him ready to pounce. Thank God we have the Holy Spirit who gives us the same warning.
Have you noticed the goodness of God in that the Holy Spirit warns you ahead of temptations? He reveals to you even traps that the enemy had set to pull you down. Praise God for this precious Guide who keeps us from the many pits dug by the enemy of our soul.
There is a cause for alertness, the believer must take heed to himself lest he falls. Check your life and identify the instrument of the flesh that may bring you into sin. Is it hatred, anger, bitterness, and so on? (Galatians 5:19-21)
Learn to walk always in the spirit and give no provision for the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Beware of self-life. Self loves self, self always justified self, self gets angry when rebuked, self drowns the soul into sin, and sin brings judgment.
Though the old man has been crucified with Christ, unless we yield ourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead we would be overtaken by sin (Romans 6:13,16). This is intentional submission and subjection to the will of God at all times. Saying no to the desires of the flesh, a conscious awaking unto righteousness and death to sin.
Do not open the door of your heart to sin. Sin may be knocking violently but Jesus is at the door with a more glorious promise for your future. Behold He stands at the door knocking (Revelation 3:20). Who will you open to?
When sinful men come to you to lure you into sin, you must flee (Proverbs 1:10-16). Even when you have been wronged and people counsel you to retaliate, be wise to forgive and let go.
There is a great blessedness that awaits those who refuse to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful, but whose delight is God’s law (Psalms 1:1-2). Are you among the blessed?
Doing the right things keep sin away from the heart. Store up the word of God in your heart. Meditate on it day and night, it will keep you from falling into sin (Psalms 119:11).
REFLECTION
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23
Guard the door of your heart always with the word of God and you will be victorious over every temptation that the enemy may bring your way.
PRAYER
Father, please give me the strength to identify the devices of the enemy to pull into sin.
