But You Must Master It

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But You Must Master It

We all face temptations  every single day.     No one  in this world  is exempt.     That’s life  in this sinful world.     Cain and Abel were the sons  of Adam and Eve.     Their lives  picture God’s word  about the temptations we face.

Abel was a shepherd  and Cain was a farmer.     Abel sacrificed a lamb  to the LORD  because of God’s word  from the beginning  that a Savior  was to suffer and die  for the sins  of the world.     The LORD respected Abel’s sacrifice  because it was given  in accordance  with God’s word  and was given  with love and respect.

Cain,  on the other hand,  did not respect God’s word  about the Savior  to come.     He realized  that sacrificing a lamb  was more appropriate  than the farm produce  that he decided to use  in a sacrifice.     But,  it was most likely Cain’s pride  that made him decide  his farm produce  was “good enough”  for God.     He could have bought a lamb  from Abel  for his sacrifice, but just didn’t want to  —  pride you know.

Because of the disrespectful intents  in Cain’s heart,  God did not have regard  for Cain’s so-called offering.     Cain became seethingly angry  because God did not accept  what he gave  with a loveless,  disrespectful heart.

In Genesis 4:6-7  we read  what happened next.

Then the LORD said  to Cain,  “Why are you angry?     And why has  your countenance fallen?    

If you do well,  will not your countenance  be lifted up?     And if you do not do well,  sin is crouching  at the door;  and its desire is  for you,  but you must master it.”

In spite of this word  of warning  from the LORD,  Cain did not do well  —  he did not master  the hatred and jealousy  in his heart,  but went ahead  and killed his brother  Abel.     The rest of Cain’s story  is in Genesis 4.

But,  God’s word is also  to us,  today.     We are perfectly aware  of when we are doing well  in God’s sight.     Our conscience clues us in  all the time.     So,  when temptations come,  as they do every day,  we need to be  constantly weighing the facts  of life,  and choosing  what is honestly good  for us  and everyone else concerned.

God pictures sin as  “crouching at the door”  because sin is so stealthy  and craftily intent  on killing us.     Satan truly does want  to take us away  from God.     We need to remember that  with every single temptation  that comes our way.

When God says,  “But you must master it”,  God is telling us  to put up a fight — for God’s sake.     God is holy  and the embodiment  of absolutely everything good  and right.     So,  when we fight temptation,  we are fighting  for good and right, for the sake  of our loving Lord  who suffered and died  to pay  for our sins.

But,  we are not fighting alone.     God is beside us  to assure us the victory  when we put our faith  and trust  in Him  and His love for us.     1 Corinthians 10:13 says,

No temptation  has overtaken you  but such as is common to man;  and God is faithful,  who will not allow you  to be tempted  beyond what you are able,  but with the temptation  will provide the way  of escape also,  that you may be able  to endure it.

See how God’s love  is near  during our every temptation.     Are we willing  to trust our Lord  to take care of us  as we fight off  temptation  and do what is right  and good?

Thank God  for His faithful love  as He lets our conscience  show us  the right way.     As we thank God,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  thank you  for loving and caring  for us,  even though we are so weak.     Strengthen us  to live  for you.”

And He will.

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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