The Way of Cain—or the Mind of Christ?

The Way of Cain—or the Mind of Christ?

Envy has led many people into a darkness where evil thoughts take root in their hearts. In this darkness, people tend to feel secure in their own thoughts, but they cannot see where they are going - because darkness has blinded their eyes.

It is important to confront this sin in its early stages. If such thoughts are permitted to live, they will grow. Many people have ruined themselves and others because they did not take this seriously. However, it is possible to achieve victory even in one’s youth.

Envy usually comes as a thought. But if it is permitted to dwell in your heart, it becomes a force to be reckoned with. In the Bible, we see several examples of this: Cain became envious because God accepted Abel’s sacrifice, but not his own. He killed his brother. Genesis 4. Joseph’s brothers hated him because of his dreams and his father’s love toward him. They threw him into a well and sold him as a slave. Genesis 37. Saul became envious because the people sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” This led to hatred and persecution. 1 Samuel 18.

Envy can creep in like a shadow when someone else is doing well. You could be on the verge of being led down the way of Cain without even noticing it. We see this pattern again and again in the Scriptures, and it is also something that Johan O. Smith put into words in his last message on April 22, 1943, where he said: “It is amazing to see that as soon as God’s light is revealed to a person, he meets men who are envious. This is the way of Cain.”

May we hate this way. It has led to darkness, destruction, and murder for thousands of years. Paul writes that envy belongs to “the works of the flesh,” and that those who live this way will not inherit God’s kingdom. Gal. 5:19. This is a serious word.

But we are called to something quite different. “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Cor. 12:26. When we are preserved in the light, and sin is not permitted to take root in us, something new grows: joy, goodness, and warmth. Then we can sincerely rejoice in the progress of others. We know it in our hearts: I really want things to go well for the other person.

Let us therefore choose to have the mind of Christ, a mind that rejoices with others, that loves the light and guards our hearts, so that sin is not permitted to take root.