The story of Cain in Genesis 4 is often the subject of scholarly discussion as to why his offering was unacceptable to God. Whatever the answer to that question, the larger point is Cain's character and how it shaped his behavior. We can only guess his motives in bringing the offering, but his heart is exposed in his angry outburst at God's displeasure. Stop for a moment and consider how insolent he is in being angry with God! Later, God asks the rhetorical questions that lead us to the lesson of the story:
"Why are you angry?
"Where is your brother, Abel?"
"What have you done?"
God's counsel to Cain in v.7 is crucial to us who struggle with sin: "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 master it.” The mastery of sin and the devil is the tiresome yet necessary goal of the Christian life. It is like the "thorn in the flesh" that plagued the Apostle Paul as he fulfilled his ministry. The pursuit of Christ goes on with the devil nipping at our heals, "crouching at the door."
The Hebrew word translated "master," means to rule or be in charge of. Dealing with the devil means that we continually remind ourselves of the rule of Christ and submit to Him.
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