The Path To Murder

"The Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry.....You must rule over it." (Genesis 4:6,7)

The story of Cain and Able is one of the most saddest of all in Scripture. Two brothers, the sons of Adam and Eve, one a farmer and the other, a shepherd. Tragically ending in murder. What leads a man down the path to murder? Each one, brought an offering to the Lord. Cain presented his "fruit of the ground" and his brother brought "the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions." According to Hebrews 11:4, "Able offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain." See also Genesis 4:3-5. God rejected Cain's offering and Cain "was very angry" because of it.

WARNING: DANGER!!

Anger in itself is not a sin and sometimes it is justifiable (see Matt. 5:22). Scripture gives strong warnings against anger that's out of control. David, the psalmist said, "Cease (refrain) from anger and forsake (out of control) wrath....it only causes harm" (Ps. 37:8) A man controlled by rage of anger "acts foolishly" and a man without "self-control" has opened himself up to great harm. (Prov. 14:17, 29; 25:28) The Apostle Paul, gives a strong command, "Be angry, but do not sinned...put it away!" (Eph. 4:26,31; Ps. 4:4) Another New Testament preacher urges us "to be slow to anger", it doesn't produce anything good. (James 1:19, 20) King Solomon describes a man who is slow in losing his temper is better than a soldier and a man who practices self control is better than an invader of a city and a man with good sense controls his anger. (Prov. 16:32; 19:11)

ANGER...MURDER!!

God saw Cain's angry face (Gen. 4:5,6) and warned him that "sin lies (crouching) at the door," waiting to take control and that he needed to"rule" (over) his anger. (Gen. 4: 7) The story of Cain and Able ends badly. God's warning of danger goes unheeded and in a heated argument, Cain kill his brother. What lead Cain down "The Path of Murder?" Was it disappointment, envy , jealously or hatred? All four, no doubt played a great part, but mixed with an uncontrollable rage of anger - Lead Cain to murder. All of us are "tempted" when we are "drawn away" by own sinful "desires and enticed" and when our "desires" fully bloom, it "gives birth to sin" and "death -Do not be deceived!" (James 1:14-16)