THE SPIRIT OF CAIN
by Glen Jenkins on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 10:04am
The spirit of cain
I was at a stop light when someone pulled up next to me & they were listening to “Jesus Walks” by Kanye West. I thought to myself “that song was hot”, but immediately the thought came, “But it’s from Cain’s heart not Abel’s!” What does that mean?
Genesis 4:4-8 (Contemporary English Version)
4and Abel also gave an offering to the LORD. He killed the first-born lamb from one of his sheep and gave the LORD the best parts of it. The LORD was pleased with Abel and his offering, 5but not with Cain and his offering. This made Cain so angry that he could not hide his feelings.
6The LORD said to Cain:
What's wrong with you? Why do you have such an angry look on your face? 7If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling. [a] But you did the wrong thing, and now sin is waiting to attack you like a lion. Sin wants to destroy you, but don't let it! 8Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go for a walk." [b] And when they were out in a field, Cain killed him.
Hebrews 11:4 (King James Version)
4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
: something that is believed especially with strong conviction. : without question
Amplified Bible 4[Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking.
Instead of giving God what he asks for we give him what we want, what we think, (Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.)
“Obedience is better than sacrifice”
What does this have to do with Kanye West, or music? We offer God what we want or think is right. Perfect example, the word says in Romans 12:1-2 (New Century Version)
Give Your Lives to God 1 So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. 2 Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
1 Corinthians 1:31 (New Century Version)
31 So, as the Scripture says, "If people want to brag, they should brag only about the Lord."[a]
Most of what we hear is about a person, what they have, how much they have, where they’ve been and all they possess (bragging) everything they do is in direct conflict & goes against the Ten Commandments & other biblical teachings, often going against the laws of this country cosigning illegal activity.
Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. (Is this true for your favorite artist or you?)
Colossians 3
Luke 13:24-30
King James Version (KJV)
24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (a wicked act or thing : sin: a : an offense against religious or moral law, a : transgression of the law of God ) Most of the music talks about love which is actually lust or infatuation, crime, drugs & alcohol to the point of intoxication, the love of money & material things, bragging about what you have. Listen to your favorite song: what is the focus? A person, place, or thing, or God? 28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
A lot of secular artists claim Christ, thanking him for their success but most of it is self-will not His will & it’s born out of selfishness & lust, or even out of a need to take matters into their own hands. They will say that their secular jobs are separate from the rest of their lives but most people’s secular jobs don’t encourage & glorify lifestyles that go against the Ten Commandments & the rest of God’s word. The word says, “seek ye first the kingdom of God & all else will be added unto you”, but we live it the other way around, “seek all else first & we will pick up God along the way.” We start to dictate what “God understands” & that He’s a forgiving God but a broken spirit & a contrite heart are needed for true repentance and sincerity. When we look to clear our conscience so that we can be safe until the next time we sin, we are actually praying to ourselves & forgiving ourselves (which is not bad because we should forgive ourselves but we should be seeking to please God & not ourselves). It’s not at all limited to music or the arts, but also our lives, whatever we are offering God; if we’re not obedient we’re just giving our gifts, our time, and our money away. Do what He asks, the way He asks, when He asks.
This is something that I’ve identified in my life & work daily to combat. For a long time I’ve struggled with how to most effectively spend my personal time & I tried to do it every way other than how I felt like God wanted me to do it. Why? Because I’m not a morning person & a whole list of other excuses. I thank God now He’s giving me the strength & even though it’s been difficult I’m doing what He wants, how He wants it, which is me at 5 am most mornings & my only expectation is to meet Him. I’m there just in case He wants to talk to me. I am also searching the rest of my life to see where I can use this – work, school, home, CHURCH??? What are you giving God? How do you know what to give God & how to give it? Start with this: 2 Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking (read, study, meditate on & use what you learn from the bible in your life), then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
The spirit of Cain !
