We have all heard the phrase from our parents, “I hope you grow up and have kids that are just like you!” This is usually said in the heat of frustration at situations of disobedience or not getting the homework or other tasks accomplished. Or it might be said in the midst of moodiness on the part of kids…or their parents. Either way it is said.

And guess what…we do have kids fairly close to behaving the way we did as kids. Second generation. Third generation. It happens. It’s happened since Adam and Eve had the second generation of boys who had to face the temptation to sin and make choices to follow sin or follow God. I wonder if God said to Adam and Eve in his frustration at them eating the forbidden fruit…”I hope you have kids just like you!” Actually God KNEW they would have kids just like them when sin entered His perfectly created world and the “kids” yielded to it. 

There is a way. Get your heart right with God and subdue sin! 

“When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. At harvest time Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce, while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The LORD accepted Abel’s offering, but he did not accept Cain’s. This made Cain very angry and dejected.”

“‘Why are you so angry?’ the LORD asked him. ‘Why do you look so dejected? 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.'”.
Genesis 4:2-7, NLT

Our attitude about God has a lot to do with our ability to subdue sin. What is our attitude? Are we doing everything we can for the church without a thought to pleasing God? Is that our “Cain-ish sacrifice”? OR is our heart following God, letting him tell us when to join Him, what to do, when to do it, helping others when he gives us the opportunity…ALL out of love for Him, with a grateful, humble heart, with a dedicated desire to please HIM? Duty or devotion? It’s another choice. What does God want?

I think about this as I read Cain’s attempt to give with a poor response to God’s teaching. 

“Subdue sin…or it will destroy you.” There’s more to this story.

Dear Heavenly Father, We must get our hearts, minds and souls in focus with Your ways, Your perfect will for us, and with Your way of thinking so that we will behave in ways that please and honor You. Help us, Lord. Make us holy before you. What can we give You that you do not already have? All of ourselves. I give you my heart, mind and soul this morning. Have Your way with me. In Jesus Name, Amen