This Infernal Inner Tendency

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.”

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

- from Genesis 4:7-8

“You must rule over this sin that desires to have you,” the Lord said to Cain. But he didn’t. He killed his brother.

He didn’t and we don’t either. We don’t rule over this sin that desires to have us … at least, not consistently.

We have our moments. We hold our tongues instead of speaking that painfully slanderous story about the person who has frustrated us. We say a kind word of congratulations to the person who’s living the life we wish we could live. We pass on the opportunity to undermine or seek revenge. We do all of these things … some of the time.

But all of us also cave into sin. We may not act this out as violently as Cain did or as we dream of doing. But, if we’re honest, we’ll admit that we all - at times – will stoke the fires of unforgiveness in our own hearts. If sin desires to have us, we also give ourselves over to it. We fantasize about revenge. We gossip and talk badly about the people who’ve sparked our jealousy.

What can we do in the face of this infernal inner tendency?

Try praying a prayer like this today: Lord, I know this unforgiveness is death for me, but I confess that I cling to this anger and have a hard time letting go. I want to want to live in reconciled relationships, or at least forgiveness. Would you help me let go, even just a little bit today? I need you. Amen

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