Why Are You Angry?

April 13, 2021

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

~Genesis 4:6‭-‬7~

Many times we find ourselves letting things offend us. We take things very personal and we let anger or jealousy arise within us. The desires of our own flesh rule over us. Here we see God warns Cain to rule over his own desires rather to let the opposite happen. If we begin to let our emotions control us we open a door to sin. We all know what happened between Cain and Abel after this emotion came over Cain, it ruled him and sin entered. The truth is Cain became offended that God did not accept His offering. It did not mean God did not love him any less, it was just according to His own standards for offerings, what He accepted and what He did not. Cain could not take "no for an answer." I am sure we have all had our "Cain moments." Of course I do not speak of the murdering side of Cain rather the responses to God's favor for another over ourselves. We must be careful not to let God's purpose drive us to feel jealous and angry. "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up."

(I Corinthians 13:4)

Cain did not have love in his heart, he did not know God the way he thought he did. Many a times we see this now in the church. People believe in God, believe in Jesus and believe in the Holy Spirit; yet they do not spend the intimate time getting to truely know them. We lack the full love of God and leave a door open for the devil to allow these emotions to take over so that we may eventually act upon them. This is what our enemy hopes for. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

(John 10:10)

When Cain let satan in he didn't even think twice about the sinful act he was about to perform to his own brother. This is how dangerous things can really get once we allow feelings to come in and take over verse accepting God's decision. There is a lack of reverence when we play into selfishness. "For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:21)

If Cain had focused on asking the Father what he could do to make it better for next offering rather then let his offense come in and rebel against God, he may have had another opportunity to be accepted and seen favor. He blew it. Most of the time we find ourselves just wanting to be recognized and when we see others becoming noticed in such a way our flesh comes into play and we listen to the whispers of satan that tell us, "God must love them more then He loves you." Obviously we know satan is a liar and everything that comes against the knowledge of God should be cast away. Cain reacted, Cain lost his brother and Cain cursed himself. God asked Cain, "Why are you angry?" Perhaps God was saying "there is no reason to be upset, you will have another chance to be accepted, I still love you." Cain heard a different voice in his head I am sure and he let it take over. This was a simple warning from God. "If you do well, will you not be accepted?" Cain refused to listen to God's warning and he allowed himself to turn his back on God, his brother and himself. It is always a tragedy when we see people make the wrong decisions based on emotion. We must be able to breath, take a step back, pray and ask God to release us of these emotions. He is faithful to help us when we do. I always have to make sure to release any emotions of my own flesh to Jesus for I know the devil uses them as a way in and I do not wish to give him any opportunities to use me for his games. We must be aware when we have ungodly feelings rise up. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

There will be many times when the devil will try to attempt division amongst people, discord will be sown and bait will be set. We must be consistent about purifying our hearts and cleansing our minds of all wicked thoughts. We must approach Jesus in a manner of reverence that asks, "How can I do better for You?" We must not let our emotion overcome us. Just because we think in a way that delcares "it will never happen to me." It just very well could. I dont believe Cain knew he would soon be murdering his own brother but he did. We need to take repentance serious. We need to be willing to search ourselves and let go of ungodly ways, asking;

"How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin."

(Job 13:23)

We can't assume we can do anything on our own or "better then others." For we are nothing without Jesus. Every person is unqiuely different and we must appreciate all of our brothers and sisters, trusting in God that He knows best for each one. We must not compare. We must not question God for decisions He makes. We must trust that we can always do better as we abide in Jesus. He wants us to be fruitful and multiply. He wants us to thrive and not fall. "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)

We see Cain's pride caused utter destruction and quite a fall. Let us not become prideful ourselves thinking we couldn't possibly fall in such a way, because frankly we are all very capable of allowing sin to enter the same way Cain did. Let us ask ourselves this very question God asked Cain in this moment when we start to feel emotions similar arise; "Why am I angry?" Then let us strive to let that anger go and react better next time. Jesus is patient with us, let's strive to be patient too.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for enduring Your children's mistakes. I am so saddened to understand the amount You have to watch as we make bad choices in life. Lord, search me and reveal any iniquities within me. Show me where I can better myself for the kingdom. I do not wish to allow an open door for satan to work. I am closed off and sealed to the Holy Spirit and all thoughts I declare shall come from You. If any wicked thought enters my mind please help me to let them go right away. I vow to not let my emotions control me. I pray for strength and clarity in how I respond. I wish nothing but blessings upon all of my brothers and sisters. I pray for divine self control and I know You are faithful to aid me in this. I praise You for Your grace and mercy that is new each day. Your everlasting love that I do not deserve, yet I receive. I love You and wish only to strive to be more like You. Bring the increase of You and the decrease of myself. Show me where my old self is trying to come back so I may put it to death on the cross. May glory be given to Your Name today through any task You have for me. In the Name above all names I receive this prayer, Jesus Christ. Amen.