Sin Can Make Us Arrogant and Remorseless
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied, "Am I my brother's keeper?"
The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. . . . When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."
Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today, you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." Genesis 4:8-14
The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. . . . When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."
Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today, you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." Genesis 4:8-14
God had warned Cain that if he did not take control of himself, he would be destroyed by sin. Cain did not listen and he killed his brother Abel out of jealousy over God's acceptance of his brother's offerings. Cain was very sarcastic when God confronted him over the murder. His response to God was: "I don't know, am I my brother's keeper?"
What is, perhaps, even more shocking outside the arrogance and lack of remorse is Cain's complaint that God's punishment was too harsh and that he could possibly be killed by somebody from his wanderings. Cain had completely forgotten what he had done so violently to his unsuspecting brother. He had taken Abel's life!
Instead of remorse, there was arrogance toward the Almighty and an accusation of injustice! God was being unfair, he said. How could God possibly expose him to potential death at the hands of some unknown person? Cain rejected God's merciful concern and warnings and stewed in anger and jealousy until he committed murder. His heart was hardened.
One of the subtle effects of sin is that when we ignore God's warnings and become steeped in sin, it leaves us arrogant and remorseless. This is because rejecting God's word and promptings leave us hard-hearted. It is always a long journey to that point; never a short flight. It never happens overnight!
I don't know what promptings and gracious warnings you might be receiving from the Holy Spirit; but would you pause and heed today? God so loves us that he would do anything to keep us from becoming "another Cain" -- arrogant and remorseless. The Bible assures us that God is not interested in the death of a sinner. He rejoices when we repent. Listen to the Holy Spirit. He wants the very best for you! He is reaching out to you this very moment!
What is, perhaps, even more shocking outside the arrogance and lack of remorse is Cain's complaint that God's punishment was too harsh and that he could possibly be killed by somebody from his wanderings. Cain had completely forgotten what he had done so violently to his unsuspecting brother. He had taken Abel's life!
Instead of remorse, there was arrogance toward the Almighty and an accusation of injustice! God was being unfair, he said. How could God possibly expose him to potential death at the hands of some unknown person? Cain rejected God's merciful concern and warnings and stewed in anger and jealousy until he committed murder. His heart was hardened.
One of the subtle effects of sin is that when we ignore God's warnings and become steeped in sin, it leaves us arrogant and remorseless. This is because rejecting God's word and promptings leave us hard-hearted. It is always a long journey to that point; never a short flight. It never happens overnight!
I don't know what promptings and gracious warnings you might be receiving from the Holy Spirit; but would you pause and heed today? God so loves us that he would do anything to keep us from becoming "another Cain" -- arrogant and remorseless. The Bible assures us that God is not interested in the death of a sinner. He rejoices when we repent. Listen to the Holy Spirit. He wants the very best for you! He is reaching out to you this very moment!
Prayer: Father, please help me to pause, listen to you, and take stock of my life today. Help me not to ignore your voice but to humbly listen and heed. I ask this in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.