Apostle John warns that we should not be like Cain. (I John 3:12) Adam and Eve should have diligently taught their life of failure and fall. They should have instructed Cain and Abel and other children the importance of relationship with God, worship, and right behaviour. However, Cain was disobedient to God.
1) Lack of faith: Cain did not have the faith like that of Abel. He did not believe in God, who deserves all worship and obedience, hence chose his style of worship to approach Him.
2) Lack of love: Instead of natural love for Abel, Cain chose to hate him. Love accepts others as they are: inferior or superior; talented or not talented. Cain could not accept Abel who was better.
3) Pride: Proud Cain hated his brother. (Genesis 4:5) Pride boosts a person’s ego and assumes all others are inferior and even as parasites or competitors and joy killers.
4) Hatred: Cain hated Abel, because of his disconnect with God. He walked in darkness and not in light. (I John 2:11) Selfishness breeds hatred and pride.
5) Rejected warning: Lack of faith, disobedience, lack of love led him to reject the warning God gave him. (Genesis 4:6-7) Cain did not believe that God would in fact punish or judge him. He misunderstood God as one who did not have either power or authority to punish him.
6) Violence: Hatred became bitterness against his brother Abel that he murdered him. (Genesis 4:8) Hatred, which is powerful emotion leads to immoral acts of violence and murder. The rights of others are trampled upon with an attitude of dominance, vengeance and ruthlessness.
7) Tried to hide sin: When God confronted him, Cain tried to hide his sin by asking the Lord: “I am my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9-10) Concealing is impossible as God is omniscient. “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
Sadly, the first child born on this earth became a murderer. (John 8:44)
Am I careful not to be like Cain?