09/13/2026
Sin is always crouching at the door. The question is—are you letting it rule you, or are you mastering it?
The story of Cain and Abel has been on my heart.
Abel brought the firstlings of his flock—the very best—to the Lord, and God respected his offering. Cain also brought an offering, but his heart wasn’t right, and God did not accept it. Cain became angry, and his countenance fell. God warned him:
“If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.”
And then—the very first murder.
I’ve been reflecting on this the last few days. I’m not surprised by people’s behavior, because you cannot govern bad behavior. More laws won’t change the heart. If anything, they often stir up more rebellion.
This should cause us to pause and self-reflect instead of pointing fingers. How are you responding? What emotions are rising up in your heart? You can deceive others, even yourself, but you can never deceive God. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
What we see in our nation today is division—but that division only reflects what is already in people’s hearts. You can secretly feel one thing and say another, but over time the truth always comes out.
Here’s the reality: you will never change the world until you first change yourself. Accountability matters. Until we take responsibility for our own thoughts, beliefs, and actions, we don’t have the right to sit in judgment of others.
Cain ignored God’s warning, and sin ruled him. The same warning is given to us today: sin is crouching at the door 🪞
Prayer:
Lord, search my heart and reveal what is hidden. Help me to give You my best, to guard my thoughts, and to master what would try to master me. Keep me from anger, envy, and bitterness, and fill me with Your Spirit so that my life reflects You. Amen.