Articles
Danger!
“…Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen.” (Gen. 4:6)
Lack of acceptance and hurt feelings can breed forth a number of dangerous emotions. Cain had clearly done wrong by not obeying the LORD and his offering was not accepted because of his disobedience (vv. 5 & 7). God did not cast Cain from His sight. In His compassion and love, the LORD warned his child about the threat that he was facing if he allowed his mood to continue.
Being dejected, Satan had Cain right where he wanted him. Cain was given an opportunity, which people may overlook. The LORD teaches all people in this instance that we are given a choice if we allow sin to rule our lives. We can choose to ignore its presence and succumb to the devil or flee from destruction (cf. Jas. 4:7).
Cain, however, made the conscious decision to embark down the path of sin. No one forced him to take actions against his brother, Abel. He was given a way out by God, but chose to allow sin to rule. The LORD came to Cain after he took his brother’s life (Gen. 4:9ff). God gave Cain an opportunity to confess and repent, but he chose not to turn back to the LORD. It was Cain who left the relationship with God (v. 16).
The account of Cain is a clear demonstration of what the Apostle Peter warns about of the necessity of having a sober mind (cf. 1 Pet. 5:8). If one’s thinking is darkened by hate, then Satan has sunk his teeth into that person. Our responsibility is to make sure that we take captive of our every thought (cf. 2 Cor. 10:5). The only thing that we ought to hate is evil (cf. Psa. 97:10).
Let’s consider a practical example of our emotions and how they can be affected: Driving. Imagine that our thoughts are disturbed with anger and frustration. We need to get somewhere, but is it wise to get behind the wheel? When we get into our vehicles, there are many things that are giving us directions. Some are: Traffic lights, road signs, paying attention for pedestrians, and other vehicles. The important thing is that we have to be mindful of our surroundings. Each individual has to give extra caution to the blind spots that are in their cars. If anyone neglects to give proper concentration, then there is always the potential outcome of a collision. Before getting behind the wheel, do we consider our emotions?
There is much that can be said about an individual who is able to pause when their emotions are stirred and count to ten. They are like a wise person who is able to control their spirit as opposed to the fool (cf. Prov. 29:11). To be clear, it is only natural to become angry and frustrated at times. What is not natural—is sin. Scripture tells us not to sin when we are angry (cf. Eph. 4:26). If we need to look to someone on how to act appropriately or be our example when angered, then there is of course the obvious person—Jesus. He expressed righteous anger in Scripture (cf. Mk. 3:5; Jn. 2:13ff).
Anger is such a dangerous emotion (cf. Jas. 1:20). If left unchecked it grows into hatred or resentment. It has been said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” A person may believe that in their mind that this feeling is helping them in their situation, but it will ultimately only lead to ruin. Hatred blinds and allows Satan to reign. Do not give the devil an opportunity to make a residence in your live (cf. Eph. 4:27).
The solution to the problem of hate is love (cf. 1 Cor. 13:4ff). One must realize that hate will always exist until Christ returns. Jesus understood this and has warned us, in order that we are prepared by how the world would react towards God’s children (cf. Matt. 10:22; Jn. 15:18). Let us remember, “The one who does not love does not love God, for God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8). May we seek to do His will and let love reign in our lives through Christ.
