Genesis 4:1-9

We all want. We want love. We want security. Some want fame, and riches. And some just want a trip to Disneyland. Cain wanted God’s respect. When he didn’t get it, instead of making the hard decision to earn it, he became angry. God questioned him about his anger. The same question that we should all ask ourselves when we become angry. Why are we angry?

Anger is a secondary emotion triggered by several different primary emotions. Cain’s anger was not caused by fear or pain, it was caused by frustration. He was angry because he was frustrated in his effort to gain God’s respect without earning God’s respect. God warned him that his anger if not mastered, would overpower him, resulting in sin.

Cain confronted his brother instead of asking God for help with his anger. Sin blinds us to our own faults, and we cast blame onto others. Cain blamed his brother Abel for his frustration and in his anger, he killed his brother. When God confronted Cain asking, “Where is Abel your brother?” …he [lied and] said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

When the fire of anger is raging, love will decide. Do we love our brother more than ourselves? Are we willing to kill another’s dreams, hopes and aspirations to get what we want? Will we destroy a reputation, or someone’s character? In our anger what will we kill? Love will decide. If we love our brother we will be his keeper, if we love ourselves we may become his killer. Brother’s keeper or brother’s killer; love will decide!