Sin of WithholdingSample

The Father’s Response to Withholding

Let’s go back to the story of Cain and Abel. Cain withheld from God. However, God’s response was quite amazing.

In verse Genesis 4:6, “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry?’ Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

This is such a fantastic response. God doesn’t blast Cain for withholding but extends grace to him by saying, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” Basically, God was saying, “you know what’s right, so here’s a second chance.”

This highlights that Cain had a choice. Withholding is a choice, and to stay withholding is a choice as well. Another interesting thought about God’s response is, Cain could have overcome this sin. Cain didn’t have Christ’s death and resurrection or the Holy Spirit, but he did have the power not to participate in the sin of withholding.

God’s response to us is to give us another chance, a do-over if you will. He wants us to do what is right. We, as believers, know in the deepest core of our hearts that to love God and to love others is the foundation of our faith and is the direct will of God.

If we are participating at any level in the sin of withholding, be it with God, our spouse, family, friends, or strangers, we can choose to do the right thing, to love. This may include having boundaries, being wise, and even getting help with a situation or person. It means we, as Christians, do not have to close our hearts down to anyone, ever.

I hope this teaching on the Sin of Withholding has opened your eyes to something that can be often harmful but unseen. If this resonates with you in any way, check out www.intimacyanorexia.com for more resources. May we all begin to love as Christ loved us.

“Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:3).