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

- from Genesis 4:7

In the space between our initial experience of jealousy and when we act, sin is crouching at our doors. It desires to have us but we must rule over it.

We are so often tempted to believe that we can leverage that anger, jealousy and shame that other people stir up in us. These are volatile emotions that generate an astounding amount of energy. We think we can use that energy in a way to gratify us, win us empathy, or fuel our performance. But sin always looks to use and exploit us. It never seeks to bless us and our relationships.

In the end, sin leaves us bitter and spent. The rush of righteous anger and revenge fades. We discover we’ve built our lives around hollow identities and pursued empty ends. Unforgiveness always damages our souls.

Let’s call unforgiveness what it is: sin! The anger, jealousy and bitterness that fills the unforgiving corners of our hearts threatens to destroy us.

Where are jealousy, anger and bitterness crouching at the door of your heart today? Where is unforgiveness desiring to have you? Call it what it is today. Once you name that impulse as dangerous, you can begin to rule over it.