What are situations that cause you to be angry? Sometimes we’re angry at ourselves because we’re not doing what we should be doing. That was the situation that Cain experienced. Cain brought an offering to the Lord, but the Lord had no regard for his offering. Perhaps he brought some old, rotten vegetables to give to the Lord. To make matters worse, his brother brought the firstlings of his flock and the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering. So Cain became angry and his countenance fell. We see that God knew that he was angry and that He cared about his situation (and He knows about your situation and cares for you as well),

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? (Genesis 4:6)

God knew the reason why Cain was angry, His question was to help Cain understand the reason why he was angry. The word “countenance” literally means face – Cain’s anger affected his entire being. God gives Cain some helpful advice clarifying the situation,

If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (Genesis 4:7)

If Cain does what is right then he won’t be filled with guilt and shame leading to anger. God points out the spiritual battle that we face. The Hebrew word “desire” conveys the desire to control and it was used to describe a beast seeking to devour its prey. Sin is always ready for an opportunity to take control of your life. You however, have a responsibility to master sin.

The mistake we make is we can be led by our feelings rather than by what is right. If we don’t do what is right, then we fall prey to sin. The truth is you don’t feel your way into good behavior, you behave your way into good feelings. If you to do well then your countenance will be lifted up.

You are not to be led by your feelings but rather by what is right.You have a responsibility to master the sin in your life. Take the initiative and do what is right regardless of how you feel. Oswald Chambers gives us this advice,

There are certain things we must not pray about — moods, for instance. Moods never go by praying, moods go by kicking. A mood nearly always has its seat in the physical condition, not in the moral. It is a continual effort not to listen to the moods which arise from a physical condition; never submit to them for a second. We have to take ourselves by the scruff of the neck and shake ourselves, and we will find that we can do what we said we could not. The curse with most of us is that we won’t. The Christian life is one of incarnate spiritual pluck. (My Utmost for His Highest, May 20)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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