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Genesis 4 – Defending Ourselves While Killing Others
Catholics persecuted Protestants; and Protestants returned the disfavor. Those claiming allegiance to Jesus and those following Muhammad’s example killed one another. On a far smaller scale, churches have factions battling one another. What they all have in common is their protection of self masquerading as a protection of God’s truth.
Where did this begin? Sadly between two brothers – Cain and Abel (Gen.4). It began with a difference in religious practice, culminating in homicide. Following that is the lesson that not being our brother’s keeper leads to fratricide.
Notice the personal nature in which God addresses Cain following the religious division and disfavor: “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent? If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (CSB Genesis 4:6-7). God addresses Cain’s need to address himself.
The point to emphasize for us is this: While thinking we’re defending God’s truth, how often is that a mask we wear to hide from others and self that we are actually defending our feelings, ourselves and our domain? The result is spiritual fratricide.
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