# 51 Like A Yelping Puppy

The Book of Genesis Day 51 Ge 4:6 So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." Sin lies at the door. It lies in wait not only for Cain, but you and I as well. Will we let it in or resist the urge? It’s like a puppy outside a door, yelping to get in. Pretty tough to resist isn’t it? God tells Cain that this sin “desires” to conquer Cain, and the word “desire” here is the equivalent of sexual desire and that should tell us something about the intensity of the battle! Try to grasp the seriousness of the situation. Sin desires to seduce and conquer you. It wants to lead you into a tryst with unrighteousness! Oh yes, beware, for 1Pe 5:8 tells us: “ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” But God tells Cain, “you should rule over it.” There is a glimmer of hope in that statement! We have a choice! We can let the puppy in or not. But how can we do this, knowing the weakness of our flesh? Peter tells us in the very next verse to resist the devil! James helps us even more when he says in Jas 4:7,8, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. “ It is only through the blood of Jesus that we are able to draw near to God, Heb 10:19 says, “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,” You can approach God, draw near to Him and ask Him to give you the strength to resist! Remember too, that in your baptism, you were crucified with Christ, and you can tell the devil that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” For in your baptism you died , and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:3) When sin stirs up yearnings in your heart, when that puppy is outside your door yelping away, don’t forget that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world! Surrender your members to Him and with the help of God you can turn from that temptation. Reflect: Did you ever own a puppy? When would he/she yelp? What are some temptations that you struggle with? What are some things you can do to fight them? Is it one and done or do temptations keep returning? When are you at your weakest moments concerning temptation to sin? Pray: Father, thank You for this glimmer of hope in fighting the temptation to sin, help us to call upon You in our hour of need. Show us how to wield Your Word when the devil shows up at our door. Amen