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The first brothers each presented an offering to the Lord. We don't know why Abel's offering from his flock was accepted while Cain's produce from his farming wasn't. Perhaps Cain's offering wasn't up to God's standards or his attitude may have been improper. We're not told. But Scripture is clear about the opportunities and dangers in how Cain reacted to this rejection.

Genesis 4:1-8

1. What emotions of Cain's were obvious when God didn't accept his offering?
2. What other emotion is clear from Cain's subsequent actions?
3. Why do you think God challenged Cain about his angry funk?
4. What was the encouraging element of God's message (v. 7) to Cain?
5. What was the warning part of God's message?
6. How may anger provide an entry port for sin to attack?
7. What does it take to subdue sins associated with anger or grudge holding?
8. What internal resource do we have that wasn' t available in the same way to Cain and Abel?

Ask God to empower you with resolve and self-control to react correctly to provocations and to subdue sinful anger.

1 Now Adam slept with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When the time came, she gave birth to Cain, and she said, "With the LORD's help, I have brought forth a man!" 2 Later she gave birth to a second son and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer.

3 At harvesttime Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce, 4 while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his offering, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected.

6 "Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked him. "Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it." 8 Later Cain suggested to his brother, Abel, "Let's go out into the fields." And while they were there, Cain attacked and killed his brother.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, when my anger is out of control, Your Spirit isn't in charge. I ask for Your help in governing my temper.

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