God's Message to Cain

The beginning of Genesis 4 finds God displeased with Cain, although the chapter is not clear on the reason for God's displeasure. Whatever the reason, Cain can respond to God's displeasure in two ways: (1) change his behavior to align with God's will, or (2) pout. Of course, Cain chooses the latter. God then says to Cain, Genesis 4:6-7 (ESV),

Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.

The same applies to us. When we suffer the consequence of our own wrongdoing, how do we react? Do we recognize God's discipline as serving a purpose to bring us closer to him? Or do we pout and blame others and pull further away from God?

Whatever the state of our lives, God's message is clear: We are to obey him and resist sin.