“Lesson 01 - Satan's Victory Over Cain”

Matthew Allen
11/30/11 - Spiritual Warfare

E-Reader File Download Links:
(Read instructions on how to download/use ebooks files)

.PDF
.ePUB - for iPad/Nook
.MOBI - for Kindle
.PPTX – Class Powerpoint
.PDF (Class Powerpoint)

Class Overview

In his book, The Invisible War, Chip Ingram describes Jesus’ victory over evil on the cross. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, Satan has become a defeated foe. While we still battle against demonic forces and the influence of evil, the war has been won. Ingram likens this to the Japanese guerrilla forces in the days after World War 2 who had yet to receive word that their army had surrendered. With communication cut off, they continued to fight to the death. Others just refused to surrender and sought out every opportunity to take out as many American forces as possible. The battles and casualties were just as real as if there was an official war going on. Even though the war has been won, we face a deadly spiritual enemy who brings the battle to us each and every day. Paul wrote about this in Ephesians 6.10-13: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

As we examine spiritual darkness this quarter, we need to understand that it is not passive. Darkness creeps and lurks - looking to overtake us wherever and whenever possible. Satan has made it his number one priority to increase his influence over people - getting them to succumb to temptation and outright lies. In short, Satan has you for a target. Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, 1 Peter 5.8. Satan intends to discourage, divide, deceive, and destroy God’s people. He does this by attacking you spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and physically. 

Over the next thirteen weeks, we will examine different bible characters and heroes who struggled spiritually. We will see how Satan inundated them with problems. We will examine where and how they failed. By looking at their mistakes and failures we can learn how to successfully combat Satan and effectively spread light into the darkness. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it, John 1.5. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you, James 4.7-8a. 

 Satan’s Victory Over Cain

The Historical Account

Cain is mentioned in several places in scripture, most notably in Genesis 4.1-24. The New Testament writers also reference Cain in Hebrews 11.4, 1 John 3.10-12; and Jude 11. Genesis tells us that after Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden they had a son whom they named Cain. After he grew up, he became a farmer (worker of the ground), Genesis 4.2.  This occupation was now necessary because of the sin of his parents, Genesis 3.17-19. When the time for sacrifice came, Cain offered God an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4.3. His brother, Abel, offered the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions, 4.4a. God accepted Abel’s offering, but rejected Cain’s. When God did not accept his offering, Cain became very angry. God gave him an opportunity to repent and extended forgiveness. Cain rejected God’s offer and soon went out and murdered his brother.

God was aware of Cain’s actions and soon confronted him, 4.9. God punished Cain by  pronouncing a curse on him. The ground would no longer yield its strength to Cain. He would become a fugitive and wanderer on the earth, 4.12. As you continue reading the Genesis account, Cain never showed remorse or sorrow for murdering his brother. His only concern was for himself. Genesis 4.16-24 gives us a few tragic highlights of the life and legacy of Cain after the murder. Satan and the spiritual forces of darkness made Cain easy prey.

How Satan Attacked Cain

After God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s, Satan saw the perfect opening to exploit Cain’s emotions and destroy the relationship he had with his brother. Because selfishness seems to be at the root of Cain’s problems, it was very easy for Cain to become envious of Abel. Any love between Cain and Abel was now void. This envy quickly grew into a boiling, ravenous anger that completely consumed Cain. 

Observing from His vantage point in heaven, God communicated with Cain, asking him to consider why he was angry, 4.6. Ever gracious and willing to give another chance, God encouraged Cain to evaluate his heart and gave him an opportunity to make another sacrifice. God’s desire was for Cain to conquer the sin that was confronting him. Cain was going to have to fight against the jealous anger that was ripping apart his relationship with God and his brother, Abel. We know the story, Cain ignored God’s admonition. Sometime later as the two were talking, Cain performed the ultimate act of selfishness by murdering his brother. His actions were cold, premeditated, and intentional. Envy led to anger. Unbridled anger drove Cain to murder. The words of James come to mind: But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death, James 1.14-15. Not only did Satan attack Cain’s relationships and emotions, but he also attacked Cain spiritually. After Abel’s murder, Cain evaded God’s direct question as to the whereabouts of his brother. Later, when God cursed Cain for his behavior, Cain demonstrates false repentance. The words of 4.13 are not spoken in remorse. They are not spoken with godly sorrow. This is clearly seen in the next verse where we see that Cain’s thoughts are still solely on himself. Now, because God is punishing him, he would become a fugitive and wanderer. Anger, bitterness, and resentment now had full control of Cain - as Cain turns away from God to go his own way - away from God. Always willing to go far beyond what was deserved, God put a mark on Cain to protect him from being killed. 

The contents of 4.16 should not be passed over lightly. Cain went away from the presence of the Lord. Instead of drawing near to God - he chose to dwell in darkness away from the light. It has been said that when people are left to themselves, that things tend to get worse instead of better. This was the case with Cain. We see it through the legacy of his descendants. Cain’s children and grandchildren were certainly not on God’s good list. Cain’s first son was named Enoch, who he named the city he built after. As you proceed down the list of his descendants, Lamech was the first polygamist, taking Adah and Zillah as wives, 4.19. Later we see him bragging about killing a man for wounding him and boasting of his revenge being ten times worse than Cain’s. Nowhere with any of Cain’s descendants do we read of them being committed to doing the will of God. In fact, it appears that God was very far from their minds as they moved about in spiritual darkness.

Practical Applications

We need to be aware of selfishness. Selfishness will destroy our life, physically and spiritually. Had Cain moved his focus off of himself, his life would have certainly worked out much differently for him. We must put death our selfish desires and serve God. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God, Colossians 3.3. See also 3.5-17. Cain’s selfishness expressed itself through unbridled envy, bitterness, and ultimately murder.

We need to be aware of the progression of envy. I grew up in the south and I remember the all encompassing and ever encroaching kudzu vines that grew throughout parts of eastern Arkansas and all across the southeast. Originally championed as “the miracle vine,” it was promoted by the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to prevent soil erosion.^⁠1 There was only one problem. Growing as much as a foot per day in hot, humid weather, the vine grew over everything. Power poles, highway signs, trees, just about anything would be covered up if the vine was left unchecked. After a few years, the vine began to kill out forests and the government decided something had to be done. By 1972, the vine was officially classified by the government as a “weed.” Efforts soon began to curtail it. There was only one problem. One herbicide that was developed actually facilitated the rate of growth for the vine - instead of exterminating it. Others have little to no effect. In fact, it takes four to ten years to eradicate the vine. It is safe to say that this would be the last thing a person would want to let take root on their property. There is a reason why the Hebrew writer describes envy in the way he does: Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many, Hebrews 12.15. We must, at the very first sign, rip out any root of bitterness and envy that finds itself in our lives. If we do not, it will consume us and lead us down the deadly path of sinful attitudes and actions.

A life lived outside God’s presence will leave a terrible legacy. We must not pass over Genesis 4.16 lightly. Cain’s decision to leave the presence of the Lord was even more tragic than the decision to murder his brother. Instead of reaching out to God - Cain sulks away and dwelt east of Eden in the land of Nod. The next few verses list out several generations of children and grandchildren. Not a one of them honored God. Lamech bragged of murder and revenge. The descendants of Cain lived to indulge their pleasures and the need to draw near to God never crossed their mind. 

While Cain was not directly responsible for the actions of those who followed him in his family, he certain set the precedent for evil rebellion. The lesson for us? How we live today matters. Our active relationship with God impacts our dealings with everyone - especially those within our family. The void left by a lack of a connection with God wreaked havoc in Cain’s family and only emboldened his offspring to conduct evil. In 1877 Richard Dugdale published his research on two American families and their descendants.^⁠2 Jonathan Edwards was an preacher and theologian who lived in Massachusetts. Max Jukes lived in New York. Jukes actively opposed Christian teachings and refused to take his children to church - even when they wanted to go. He had 540 descendants. Of them:

• 150 were sent to prison for an average of 13 years.
• More than half were public prostitutes.
• 100 were admitted alcoholics.
• 7 were murderers.

With few exceptions, the Jukes family made no connection to society. This stands in great contrast to the Edwards family. Dugdale researched 1394 descendants of this family and found:

• 100 were ministers.
• 75 became officers in the army or navy.
• 65 became university professors.
• 13 became university presidents.
• 60 became authors.
• 60 became physicians.
• 5 were elected to Congress.
• 3 were elected to the U.S. Senate.
• 3 became governors.
• 1 became Vice President of the United States.

While Dugdale’s research has been the subject of some modern criticism, can we see a larger principle at work here? Concepts of godly living and serving others were passed from Lois, then to Eunice, and then to Timothy, 2 Timothy 1.5. 

What kind of legacy are you building? Your influence for good can go on long after you die through the godly character and lives of your descendants. Start today. 

Questions for Discussion:

1. What are the four entry points Satan uses to attack us?  In which area(s) are you most vulnerable?
2. Why did God accept Abel’s offering, but reject Cain’s?  See Genesis 4.3-4a and Hebrews 11.4.
3. What do we learn about Cain from 1 John 3.10-12 and Jude 11?
4. What do we learn about God through His offering Cain a 2^nd chance after his offering was rejected?
5. Describe Cain’s attitude after he was confronted by God for the murder of his brother. Are there any applications for a modern audience?
6. What is the principle communicated in James 1.14-15? With this passage in view, describe the progression of Cain’s sin from start to finish.
7. Why should we be vigilant in protecting our self from envy and bitterness? How do we overcome jealousy? Envy? Bitterness?
8. What is the significance of Genesis 4.16a?
9. What legacy did Cain leave behind?
10. What steps are you currently taking in order to leave a godly legacy?

__________________

¹ University of Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio. (1996). The Amazing Story of Kudzu. Retrieved 11/29/2011 from http://www.maxshores.com/kudzu/

² Ravenhill L. (1963). Jonathan Edwards: Portrait of a Revival Preacher. Bethany House Publishers: Minneapolis.

Downloadable File(s)

1. Lesson_01_-_Satans_Victory_Over_Cain.pdf (903.47 kB)
2.  

Share