Genesis 4:7 – 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 master it. (NIV)

At work, there is a white pail with a large red and black label which reads, BIOHAZARD.

Sharps, gloves, clothes, and other items which have come into contact with contaminated or infectious people or things must be placed in this pail for the protection of everyone, as these contaminated items have power to bring death to life.

Sin is a contaminate — a biohazard. It has the power to bring death to life.

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

The writer of Genesis personifies sin, making it appear, in my mind, as a vicious creature with slavering jaws crouching at my door, waiting to devour me. This word picture creeps me out. It brings chills to my soul, and so it should. Sin is a grave and dangerous enemy, and yet, how lightly we can learn to treat it. Perhaps it is because we are dealing with sin every day in every way, for all of life is a choice: to do what is right or not to do what is right.

When we choose to do what is right, we choose life and master sin. The creature crouching at the door is denied access to harm us. When we choose not to do right, we open the door to him and he does us great damage, killing or maiming our hopes and dreams, our relationships, and our health and well-being, as well as that of others. If you have any doubt about this, just continue to read Genesis 4:8b – "Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him."

Cain's way brought death, whereas God's way brings life.

Every day, we, like Cain, are faced with the creature of sin crouching at our door, waiting — waiting for us to choose. So let us not take the beast's intentions lightly. Let us choose to do right: a choice which is available to everyone who accepts the gift of God which is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. For in Christ, as the apostle Paul has penned:

Philippians 4:13 – I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

Prayer: Father God, thank You that in Christ, we have the power to recognize and master sin that daily crouches at our door. Grant us hearts that desire each and every day to do what is right in Your sight. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
Send your feedback to the author