Romans 15:4 reminds us: ‘For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.’

Two Offerings – Two Responses

Genesis 4:3–5 tells us:
“And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” (NIV)

The Beast at the door

Genesis 4:7 (NIV):
“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

James 3:16 (NIV) says:
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

James 1:19–20 (NIV):
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

It Starts In The Heart

Matthew 5:21–22 (NIV):
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.

The Bible Project:
”Jesus traces murder back to its seed form: anger, insult, contempt. Murder begins in the heart long before the act.”

Unforgiveness and Its Fruit

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT):
“Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”

Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV):
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

From Comparison to Celebration

1 Corinthians 12:26 (NIV):
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

Philippians 2:3–4 (NLT):
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Abel’s Blood vs. Jesus’ Blood

Genesis 4:10 (NIV):
“The LORD said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.’”

Hebrews 12:24 (NIV):
“to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

2 Corinthians 5:17–18 (NIV) reminds us:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

How Do We Overcome?
By the Blood of Jesus
By the Power of the Holy Spirit
By Renewing Our Minds with God’s Word
By Choosing Love and Forgiveness