Topical Bible: Motive: Sinful, Illustrated by Cain

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In the biblical narrative, motives play a crucial role in understanding human actions and their moral implications. A sinful motive is one that is rooted in desires contrary to God's will, often leading to actions that are destructive and displeasing to God. The account of Cain, found in Genesis 4, serves as a poignant illustration of sinful motives and their consequences.

Cain's Offering and Jealousy

The account of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve, begins with both brothers bringing offerings to the Lord. Abel, a keeper of sheep, offers the firstborn of his flock, while Cain, a tiller of the ground, presents an offering of the fruit of the soil. The Lord regards Abel and his offering with favor, but He does not look with favor upon Cain and his offering. The Berean Standard Bible states, "So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell" (Genesis 4:5).

Cain's reaction reveals a sinful motive rooted in jealousy and pride. Instead of examining his own heart and offering, Cain becomes consumed with anger towards his brother. The Lord addresses Cain, saying, "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it" (Genesis 4:6-7). Here, God warns Cain of the destructive power of sin and the importance of mastering sinful desires.

The Act of Murder

Despite God's warning, Cain's sinful motive festers, leading to a tragic outcome. Cain invites Abel to the field, where he attacks and kills him. This act of murder is the first recorded in Scripture and is a direct result of Cain's unchecked sinful motives. The Lord confronts Cain, asking, "Where is your brother Abel?" to which Cain responds, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Genesis 4:9). Cain's response further illustrates his hardened heart and lack of repentance.

Consequences of Sinful Motives

The consequences of Cain's actions are severe. The Lord declares, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand" (Genesis 4:10-11). Cain's sinful motive not only leads to the loss of his brother's life but also results in his own alienation from God and the land.

Cain's account serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sinful motives. It highlights the importance of examining one's heart and aligning one's desires with God's will. The narrative underscores the biblical principle that unchecked sinful motives can lead to actions with devastating consequences, both for the individual and for others.

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Genesis 4:7
If you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not well, sin lies at the door. And to you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him.
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1 John 3:12
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
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Library

God's Sovereignty and the Human Will
... drawing" presenting to him the irresistible motive, the "coming ... The sinner in his
sinful nature could never ... This is strikingly illustrated in the Old Testament. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter seven gods sovereignty and.htm

The Necessity and Benefits of Religious Society
... being a little enlarged on and illustrated, will fully ... or other, which though not
actually sinful, yet may ... Motive, surely, cannot be wanting, to stir us up to ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the necessity and benefits of.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... not incline his mind to do this from a right motive. ... how to punish the creature,
not as such, but as sinful. ... That act is good and may be illustrated by the gait ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... Cain, misery of, [675]345; consciousness of his sin and ... 773]366; to be absent from
sinful, disgraceful, [774 ... 382, [1085]439; a most powerful motive, [1086]392 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... boldly unto the throne of grace.' FIFTH, the motive to this ... was set in the cloud,
that the sinful man might ... us than the blood of Abel did for Cain (Hebrews 12 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

And ii.
... have been a peculiarly prominent manifestation of the sinful corruption, consists ...
for ever," are thus beautifully illustrated by Calvin: "Micah does not here ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... by bringing again, even afresh, his evil of sleeping into his mind (Rev.2:5;
1:Thess.5:7, 8). Thus, therefore, he now went on bewailing his sinful sleep, saying ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... said she, who can but lament, that shall but rightly consider, what a state and
condition my poor relations[40] are in that yet remain in our sinful town? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm