Genesis 4:6“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7You 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.”

2 Peter 2:19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

The account of Cain and Able is one of the oldest and most famous stories in the entire Bible. Many people who are not believers can still tell you the high points of the story. However, God does not communicate the passage to you just to inform us someone’s sin, but to also share with you the way you can overcome sin before it overcomes you. Here are a few lessons regarding how you can master sin before it masters you.

1. Repent quickly.
Cain had been caught doing wrong. He wanted rewards for doing things his way. There is a difference between being remorseful for being exposed and being repentant about what you have done.

Repentance leads to life change and provides God with the opportunity to restore and refresh your life. Cain is not repentant; he is ticked that God will not bless his own way of doing things.

2. Humble yourself.
Cain’s pride is injured. God makes an open and honest offer for Cain to be rewarded. He internally says no, I want to honor God in my way. Pride is a preventative to change and communication with God. Scripture says that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Don’t allow your pride to push you away from the God who wants to be close to you.

3. Follow God’s instruction.
Cain allowed His sin to control Him. Sin does not desire to be a part of your life; sin wants to control your life. Cain not only made room for sin, but he also allowed his sin to call the shots and take him on a journey that was deeper and darker than he would have ever planned. Realize that when you embrace sin, you are giving away control of your life.

Today’s challenge: Mastering sin is not about you taking control as much as it is about you giving God control. How do you give God control? You give God control with every act of obedience. With each act of obedience, the enemy is defeated and God becomes more glorified into your life.