Offences are an inevitable part of human life, as even Jesus warned, “It is impossible, but that offences will come” (Luke 17:1, KJV). The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-16 serves as a powerful illustration of the dangers of harbouring offence and the catastrophic consequences it can have on one’s life and relationship with God.
The Story of Cain and Abel: A Summary
Cain and Abel were the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was a farmer, and Abel was a shepherd. When the time came to present offerings to the Lord, Abel’s offering of the firstborn of his flock was accepted by God, while Cain’s offering of the fruits of the ground was not (Genesis 4:3-5, KJV). This rejection caused Cain to become very angry and downcast.
God, seeing Cain’s anger, spoke to him directly: “Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:6-7, KJV). Despite this warning, Cain allowed his offence to fester, ultimately leading him to commit the first murder in history by killing his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8).
The Nature of Offense
Offence is a feeling of resentment or anger caused by a perceived insult, wrong, or rejection. It often stems from wounded pride, jealousy, or unmet expectations, as seen in the case of Cain. Cain’s offering was rejected, and instead of humbling himself to understand why and seek God’s favour, he took offence. This offence led him down a path of bitterness, hatred, and, ultimately, murder.
Jesus warned us about offences, saying they are inevitable in this fallen world. However, how we respond to them determines whether they will lead us into sin. Proverbs 18:19 (KJV) states, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.” Offences, if not dealt with properly, can imprison our hearts and minds, making reconciliation and peace difficult.
The Consequences of Harboring Offence
Cain’s offence not only led to the death of his brother but also brought severe consequences upon himself. After the murder, God confronted Cain, saying, “What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10, KJV). Cain was then cursed by God and condemned to be a “fugitive and a vagabond” on the earth (Genesis 4:12, KJV). His relationship with God was broken, and he was driven from the presence of the Lord (Genesis 4:14, KJV).
This story shows that offences, when allowed to fester, can lead to severe spiritual consequences. They can separate us from God, damage our relationships with others, and lead us into greater sins.
Guarding Against Offenses
To guard against the danger of offences, we must cultivate a heart of humility, forgiveness, and love. Here are some biblical principles to help us avoid falling victim to offence:
1. Be Quick to Forgive: Jesus taught His disciples to forgive, even when wronged repeatedly. In Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV), Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus replied, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Forgiveness is a powerful antidote to offence. It frees us from the bondage of bitterness and keeps our hearts pure before God.
2. Guard Your Heart: Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) instructs us, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against offence by not allowing negative thoughts and feelings to take root. This requires us to be mindful of our thoughts and emotions and to bring them into submission to Christ.
3. Seek Reconciliation: It is important to seek reconciliation quickly when the offence occurs. Jesus said, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23-24, KJV). Believers should prioritise reconciliation to prevent offences from leading to greater sins.
4. Trust in God’s Justice: Sometimes, offences come from deep hurts or injustices. In such cases, we must trust God to be the ultimate judge. Romans 12:19 (KJV) reminds us, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” We can rest in the assurance that God will deal justly with those who wrong us.
5. Walk in Love: Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8, KJV). When we walk in love, we are less likely to take offence because love is not easily provoked and does not keep a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5, KJV). Cultivating a heart of love helps us to overlook offences and extend grace to others, as Christ has done for us.
Conclusion
The story of Cain and Abel serves as a sobering reminder of the danger of harbouring offences. Offences are a reality of life, but as followers of Christ, we are called to respond to them with forgiveness, humility, and love. By guarding our hearts, seeking reconciliation, and trusting in God’s justice, we can overcome offences and maintain our relationship with God and others. Let us heed the warning given to Cain and not allow sin to rule over us when the offence comes.
The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 
Good message🐑
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