Last week, in our “Kingdom Rebellion” series, we explored the events of Genesis Chapter 3, focusing on the Fall and its consequences. This week, we shift our attention to Genesis Chapter 4 and look at the tale of two seeds.
Genesis 4:1–7 (NIV)
1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the ORD. 4 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, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 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.”
Chapter 4 introduces us to several firsts: the initial sibling rivalry, the inaugural murder, and the establishment of the first city, among other significant events. We’ll delve into these topics more thoroughly at Keys Vineyard Church this weekend. To prepare, let’s examine the conflict between the seed/offspring more closely.
Genesis 4:7 (NIV)
7 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.”
In John’s first letter, he expounds on the story of Cain and Abel. He shows us that there are two wills at work.
1 John 3:10–18 (NIV)
10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. 11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Cain is biologically the seed of the woman, yet his choices/actions align him more closely with the serpent’s lineage.
As believers in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are blessed to have the ability to choose to do what is right and the power to carry out that choice in our actions.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
In the fruit of the spirit list, this is about self-control. As we see in Cain and Abel’s story, anything uncontrolled can harm your relationships.
Self-control is ultimately a divine gift cultivated within us by the Holy Spirit. Recognizing it as such helps us credit God rather than ourselves. However, embracing self-control involves both reception and active participation. It’s about allowing Christ, through his Spirit, to govern our desires, not merely about self-management.
This weekend at church, we’ll explore what this looks like in practice, including:
Being accountable (Romans 14:12)
Living with integrity (Proverbs 15:3)Make plans to join us this weekend at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
