In the fourth chapter of the book of Genesis, there is an exposition of the actions of Cain. His actions reflect what is now characterized as “The Cain Syndrome”. The dynamics of this condition presents a dangerous phenomena in the Church of the Living God. “Syndrome” is defined as: “A number of symptoms occurring together and characterizing a specific condition”.
The condition of Cain’s heart was clearly revealed by his anger at God’s refusal to receive his offering. His worship parallels that of countless numbers of church members of today, merely having “a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5). A worship that is void of any genuineness or reality. Had Cain’s offering been presented in the right spirit, there would have been no “wroth” when Jehovah refused to accept it, but rather a humble desire to know God’s will. The Central truth gathered from Genesis four is that God is to be worshipped. He is to be worshipped through sacrifice, and He is to be worshipped by means of a sacrifice which is appropriated by faith. Hear the Apostle Paul: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).
The person of God is to “present”. This is volitional surrender to the perfect will of God, even when you do not know God’s perfect will for your life; it is an act of faith. The Holy Writ says Cain “brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord”. Please take note, Cain acknowledged the existence of God, but he prepared to worship Him after his own fashion.
- First, Cain’s offering was a bloodless one, “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).
- Second, Cain’s offering consisted of the fruit of his toil, it was the product of his own labors. In a word, it was the works of his own hands.
- Third, he brought of “the fruit of the ground”, thus ignoring the Divine sentence in Genesis 3:17, “cursed is the ground”.
“The Cain Syndrome” illustrates that unless the darkened understanding of man (mankind) be illuminated by the Word and the enmity of the carnal mind be subdued, the human heart rebels again the things of God.
Be blessed as you are transformed by the renewing of your mind, whereby you demonstrate that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
