Blood Brothers

Scriptures: James 1:19-21, Ephesians 4:26, Proverbs 29:11, Psalms 7:11, Psalms 86:15

The Power of Our Anger

How powerful is anger? I want you to pause for a moment and try to think of 3 things that people could do while being angry. Now let me ask you this: Would these 3 things bring something good or bad? Can you think of anything good that can come from anger? 

It might surprise you to know that there is good that can come from your anger. In fact, anger is a God-given emotion. I think of anger in two ways. There’s sinful angerand righteous anger. Are you angry right now about something? Is it sinful or righteous? How can you even know which type of anger you have? The Bible says this: 

“In your anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”. – Ephesians 4:26 (NIV) 

The Bible doesn’t say it’s wrong to be angry, but that it’s wrong to sin while angry! What would that look like? Consider this scenario: You’re with a crowd of people that are looking at a burning building. Even though you all just evacuated, you see someone inside that can’t break free. As you’re looking around, you see that no one is running toward the building to save them. Knowing what would happen if you do nothing should spark you to action, right? It should make you angry that no one is doing anything! There are several things you could do with this anger of yours, but here are a few possibilities: You can start expressing your anger toward everyone around you because they are not doing anything to save this person, or you can run to the person in danger and do something about it. 

This is how you can tell the difference between sinful and righteous anger: Sinful anger will produce sinful actions; but righteous anger produces righteous actions.You have a choice in every situation concerning your anger; you can sin against God, or you can honor God with your actions. 

Throughout this Bible Reading Plan, we’re going to look at the story of Cain and Abel out of Genesis 4. My prayer is that this story of anger would inspire you to consider how to handle your own anger, as you go through this study. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see my anger in a new way. Please show me if there’s anger in my own heart right now and help me to deal with it in a way that honors you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures: Genesis 4:1-5, Deuteronomy 15:10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

The Power of the Offering

Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. Here’s a fun fact: It’s not stated outright, but it is possible that Cain and Abel were the first twins in the Bible! Genesis 4:1-2 shows that Eve delivered both, but it only mentions once that Eve became pregnant. The very names of Cain and Abel have a meaning, and they give us a glimpse of who they are. Let’s do a quick study on their names:

Cain in Hebrew: קין (pronounced “Kayin”)

Cain means “acquired”. From the story, we learn that Cain is a person who gets what he wants in the moment. Cain was like a farmer producing crops (he “worked the soil”).

Abel in Hebrew: הבל (pronounced “Hevel”)

Abel means “breath” or “vapor”. A breath or vapor is short-lived, and unfortunately that was the case for Abel, too. Abel was a shepherd (he “kept flocks”).

Cain and Abel were both putting together an offering to give to God. Cain’s offering appears to be rushed or thrown together. Why do I say that? First, he was possibly racing to beat Abel by giving his offering, because his offering came first. Second, it says that he gave some of the fruits, not the first fruits (the first fruits of the harvest were considered the very best and given to God). A big indicator is how God viewed Cain’s offering; we’ll look at that in a moment.

By contrast, Abel appears to put more care into his offering. He brought the bestportions from the firstborn of the flock and gave it as an offering (this would be the very best of what a shepherd would have, so this would be the first fruits of a shepherd). How did God view these offerings? Here’s what happened:

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. – Genesis 4:4-5 (NIV)

He wasn’t angry with himself over a poorly made offering, but that his brother did better than him. Abel might not have even been aware that this offering had become a competition. Either way, Cain’s decision to compare his offering with others led to jealousy and anger. We need to remember in all that we do for the Lord: Comparison steals joy every time. Cain chose to focus on himself, not his offering to God. Not only was his joy stolen, but it was replaced with anger.

Before continuing this study, consider this: are you comparing in any way? If so, it either has or will lead you to feeling empty inside, longing for something more. This is often the start of a dangerous path towards jealousy and anger. Let’s pray that God would set us on the right path.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see the path I’m on right now. If I’m comparing too much, please reveal that to me. If I’m on the wrong path, lead me and deliver me from the evil in my heart. I love you, Lord, and want to follow you! Amen.

Scriptures: Genesis 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, 1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10

The Power of Ignoring Temptation

In Day 2 of this study, we talked about how the wrong heart led to disappointment after Cain compared his offering with Abel’s offering. He wasn’t focused on pleasing God, but on himself. The wrong heart led to the wrong motives, and he became angry. Remember: It’s not wrong to be angry; it’s wrong to sin while angry! His anger took over, so God gave him a warning:

“Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 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.” – Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV)

Whenever I read sin is crouching at your door, I picture a hungry lion ready to devour its’ prey. Imagine you turned around right now to see a lion behind you, how would you respond? As serious and terrifying as that would be, it’s nothing compared to the danger of sin in your heart.

Cain was angry because he had the wrong heart, which led him to the wrong motives. What do the wrong motives lead to? Let’s continue the story:

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?” – Genesis 4:8-9 (NIV)

I can’t even imagine saying that to my own parents, let alone God Himself! That’s the power of ignoring temptation; anger doesn’t just become deeply rooted in your heart; but look at what the wrong motives led him to do! The wrong motives lead to the wrong actions. Cain was dead inside from his actions, and his brother laid on the ground lifeless! Do you see the power of anger? It all started from a “harmless” selfish heart.

Don’t ignore temptation. Instead, recognize it for what it is; like a hungry lion getting ready to devour you. What does it devour? Your joy, your thoughts, your peace, your hope. It kills all that and so much more. There’s no place for it in your heart. If you’re angry, bring it before God. Abel brought the best portions from the firstborn of his flock (the very best a shepherd can give). Now think about this: the very best you can give to God is giving Him your deepest of struggles and letting Him transform your heart. Don’t just ignore temptation! Take captive every thought, including every thought that makes us angry, and make those thoughts obedient to Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as I read this, you’ve highlighted some areas in my life where I need to change the course of my thoughts. I know if I’m on the wrong path, they’ll devour me. So Lord, I pray instead that you would fill me with your goodness and love, and remove the anger from inside of me. I give it over to you right now. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures: Genesis 4:10-16, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38-39

The Power of Accountability

Here’s what we have learned so far about Cain’s anger:

-Anger is a powerful God-given emotion, but it needs to be managed in a godly way.

-Sinful anger produces sinful actions; but righteous anger produces righteous actions.

-The wrong heart led him to the wrong motives.

-The wrong motives led him to the wrong actions.

From Day 3, we left off after Cain murdered his brother and foolishly mouthed off to God. Let’s continue the story:

The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.

God served justice in this moment. God is too pure to let any evil deeds go unpunished, and Cain was given a just punishment for his actions. God holds us all accountable when we’re in the wrong. Sometimes that punishment is seen immediately (like with Cain in the story), but sometimes it won’t be until years later. What if your anger now will one day lead to a crumbling marriage; all because you weren’t held accountable for your anger from the beginning? You can try sweeping it under the rug and let it fester in your heart, or you can identify the problem and address it. God warned Cain when He said “sin is crouching at your door”; is sin crouching at your door? Maybe God is using this study to warn you right now. Don’t let your anger sit and fester. If you’re letting your anger build, it’s time to give that over to God, and have a fresh start in the right direction.

We’ll always face consequences for our actions, but there’s more to it. Let’s look at what happens next:

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.”

But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. – Genesis 4:10-16

Cain wrongfully took his brother’s life, and he suffered deep consequences for it; but there’s a huge takeaway from this! We’ll always face consequences for our actions; but we’ll NEVER face them alone!

God will never leave you, nor forsake you. Your anger may seem to have a tight hold, but God is holding you. Recognize God’s presence and give it all over to Him today!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for holding me, even when my anger has a hold on me. I pray that I can trust you with all things, not just the problems of today or the worries of tomorrow. Set my feet on paths of righteousness and deliver me from the evil in my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures: Genesis 4:25, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 3:16

The Power of Grace

Cain was punished for his actions and cast out of the presence of the Lord. If you think about it, he was also cast out of Adam and Eve’s presence. Consider this: his anger was so powerful, that not only was Abel murdered, but Adam and Eve were also punished deeply for his actions. It’s like the shrapnel off of a grenade, when you let your anger become volatile, it affects everyone nearby. Because of Cain’s actions, Adam and Eve are not just without one son, but both. One was dead physically, the other spiritually. 

As terrible of a tragedy as it was, thankfully it wasn’t the end of the story. Let’s look at the greatness of our God in verse 25: 

Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” – Genesis 4:25 (NIV)

Remember how Cain and Abel’s names had a meaning? Seth’s name is my favorite one. 

Seth in Hebrew: שֵׁת pronounced “Sheth”

To “set” in place, as in, substituted. Some Bibles have footnotes that say Seth probably means “granted“, as well. Seth took the place of Cain and Abel. 

As amazing as that is, it gets even better! 

This word is also likely a derivative of the Hebrew word, “shiyth”, which is where we got our English word “sheath” (as in sheathing your sword). It’s as if Cain unsheathed the sword, but God SET it back in its place! God granted them another child as an act of grace. 

As amazing as that is… it STILL gets even better! This story gave us a picture of what was to come through Jesus Christ. When we sin, we may as well have unsheathed the sword, because we’ve pitted ourselves against God. That’s why He sent Jesus, the only one who could save us from our sin and from ourselves. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2nd Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Not only was he the only perfect sacrifice, he became sin in order to make that happen! 

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2nd Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

Jesus didn’t just pay the price of our anger; Jesus paid the price of all our sins! Praise God that he would grant us such grace! He withheld nothing to give us this grace. The love Jesus has for us is far more powerful than all the sin in the world. Give your life in full to Jesus today! 

Prayer: Dear Lord, your love and grace is so powerful, far beyond anything I can fathom. THANK YOU for your grace! I pray that any sin in my heart would be replaced with your presence. I give it all over to you. In Jesus name, amen.