Bible Wisdom For Life's Common StrugglesSampel

“Heart and Mind”

Hatred between children will tear a family apart. Look in the first book of the Bible alone: Cain hated Abel (Genesis 4:4–8), Esau hated Jacob (Genesis 27:41), and Joseph’s brothers hated him (Genesis 37:5). Epic hardships and sometimes even death resulted, because these young bucks harbored hate in their hearts instead of love.

Take Cain, for example. He was a piece of work. You don’t want to be like Cain. Remember his story from Genesis 4? He allowed himself to be overcome with anger and jealousy for the simple reason that the Almighty wanted a burnt offering—not the fruit and veggie platter he had presented. Now this should have been a minor setback. Sure, it was probably embarrassing, but all Cain had to do was come back with an animal sacrifice and he would have been good to go. But instead of accepting his shortcoming and fixing his error, Cain turned his energy toward hating the one who got it right the first time—his brother, Abel. I’m talking Cain burned with hate.

The Lord was even gracious enough to warn Cain about the danger of allowing this hatred to gnaw at his heart. “If you do not do well, sin lies at the door,” God explained. “And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). It’s as if the Almighty was pleading with Cain, “Get a grip. Don’t do what you’re fixin’ to do. Trust Me—this will not end well.” But God’s caution went in one ear and out the other. The next day Cain went out and murdered his brother.

Think about this: Cain was just one generation removed from the perfection of the Garden of Eden. His parents actually were perfect at one time, so I’d say they had a leg up on you and me in the child-raising department. Let’s not forget that Adam and Eve knew what perfect love between God and humans was like. I’m of the opinion that they did their best to pass that knowledge on to their sons . . . which is to say that Cain knew exactly how tragic and evil it would be to kill his brother. But sin becomes toxic when we allow it to fester.

Here’s the good news: We have been set free by the Almighty from a heart that’s obsessed with hate, sin, and death (Romans 8:1). Now we still have to choose love as our everyday motivation. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). It takes effort.

Jesus also said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (verse 31). I know from personal experience how hard that can be. But it’s a love for the Almighty that truly allows us to love other people. If we love like He wants us to, nobody gets killed, nobody gets hurt, and families stay together. See what I’m saying? That’s the bonus when we allow God’s love to guide our thoughts and actions every day—even when we suffer disappointments along the way.

By Phil Robertson