Sin is Crouching at th Door

Introduction

Self Control Defined

The ability to manage one's impulses, emotions, and behaviors to achieve long-term goals

Read a little ahead and a after for immediate Context

Genesis 4:1–8 RSV

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him.

Sin Unchecked, Gives Birth to More Sin

Cain’s anger turned into hatred towards his brother, which eventually turned into murder. Abel’s murder was premeditated.

Why - Lack of Self-Control!

James 1:13–15 ESV

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

This scripture was perfectly played out in Cain’s heart.

1 Peter 2:11 ESV

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Our walk with Christ is a Walk in a War-zone

We are confronted on 3 sides: Flesh, World, Devil

Ephesians 4:22–24 ESV

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

1 John 3:12 ESV

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Self is One of the Toughest Weeds that Grows in the Garden of Our Lives

Who do you have the most trouble with in your entire Christian Life? BE HONEST

Consider how easy it is to be caught up in

Self-centeredness

Self-deception

Self-indulgence

Self-importance

Self -Pity

Need for self control is clear

God knows that problem with his children is this Need to self-indulge

We are tempted to live outside the boundaries God has established for our good, well being and for HIS GLORIFICATION

God know’s us way better than we know ourselves - Hence the Boundaries .

God know’s that there is a perversion (Cain - IF YOU DO WELL).

Screwtape Letter. Screwtape to one of his nephews. “All that we can really hope to do is to encourage our enemies (we Christians). Is to take the good things that our ultimate enemy (God) has given them at the wrong time, wrong quantity, or with the wrong person

The self indulgence has been successful in pressing its offerings in the Church with great success.

The church mirrors the world.

Boat on the water / water in the Boat

Inside job example (Sin is like this)

2 great discoveries I see in lift

Junk is Junk

People Do What They Want to Do

Be honest and say you wanted to do it

People caught up in an addiction. I just do it one more time. 1 more look, one more visit

God has made us free the the BONDS of sin and placed us in the BOUNDARY of His grace and mercy.

When someone says why not