Depravity at work by Pastor W.F Kumuyi
DAILY MANNA
MONDAY JUNE 24, 2024
DEPRAVITY AT WORK
KEY VERSE: “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” (GENESIS 4:8).
GENESIS 4:8-24
Stories abound of people harmed or murdered by their friends or relatives just because they were more successful. In Nigeria, a young man planned the kidnap of his elder brother because he claimed the latter was not interested in helping him. The young man told the kidnappers not to kill his brother. Unfortunately, his elder brother was killed while arguing with the kidnappers. The younger brother who planned the dirty business was later arrested and jailed. For their family, it became a double loss.
Today’s passage centres on the mischievous conduct of Cain. He killed his brother, Abel, because his offering was rejected while that of his brother was accepted. Like other vices, envy, jealousy and anger are products of the fallen human nature. Instead of seeking to amend his ways, Cain was angry with his brother for doing well before God. To show that the Almighty is not partial, He asked him, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” As a result of Cain’s detestable depravity, God placed a curse on him.
The twin sinful emotions of jealousy and envy constitute a serious moral disease that drives a person to develop passionate hatred for another who is better than him in a way. Jealousy and envy are dangerous emotions that inflict harm not only on the target but also on the aggressor. They separate friends, divide families and threaten fellowships. But, like the case of Cain, sinners will not go unpunished.
When we realise the presence of jealousy or envy in our lives, we should penitently turn to God for pardon and cleansing. He will forgive and grant us grace to overcome such sinful tendencies and be grateful for who we are and what we have.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Bring your envious heart to the foot of the cross for cleansing in Christ’s blood.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EZRA 7-10
