Evil Personified

Evil Personified

(Genesis 4:1-16; Romans 12:17-21)

Yearly Theme:  “Goodness is… Great”

Series Title:  “Breaking Bad:  The Consequences of Sin”

February 25^th, 2024

Something to think about:

As we close out our series today on the “Consequences of Sin,” we do so by looking at the story of Cain and Abel and the devastating result of choosing evil over good.  As we’ll read, Cain is confronted with a choice:  Either listen to the voice of sin as it crouches at his door, or listen to the voice of GOD telling him to overcome it.  Lest we think we’re any different, we too continually face the reality of choices throughout our lives that will either set us on a course for good, or set us on a course for evil.  What will we choose?  Let’s take a look at Cain’s story today:

Turn in your Bible to:  Genesis 4:1-16 and Romans 12:17-21

Here’s the point…

Key Point:  “The only hope for good to succeed is to overcome evil with good.”

What can we learn from this passage that could help us make the right choices in all situations?  Let’s take a look:

• Sin  .

Genesis 4:7c (NLT),  Sin is crouching at the door…

1 Peter 5:8-9a (NLT),  ⁸  Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ^9a  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.

• GOD  .

Genesis 4:7 (NLT), You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.

Luke 22:31-32 (NLT),  ³¹  “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT),  ¹²  If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. ¹³  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

• The choice is  .

Genesis 4:7d  …you must subdue it and be its master.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (HCSB),  ²⁶  Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷  and don’t give the Devil an opportunity.

Ephesians 6:10-11 (NLT),  ¹⁰  Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Something to take home:

Like Cain, we too have a choice.  Will we give in to the monster scratching at our door, pleading with us to open up, or will we subdue the beast called sin and become its master?  For Cain, his choice led to a curse instead of a blessing.  What will you choose?

Key Point:  “The only hope for good to succeed is to overcome evil with good.”