Sunday Words of Encouragement February 2, 2020

Our Sunday School teacher continued his lesson, this week titled “What is behind the door?”
Cain knew God's word but he overrode it and murdered his brother.
Genesis 4:3 reads: “In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord…” Cain brought some of his crop, not the best, and he made his offering “in due course of time”. When he got around to it, rather than as a first priority. God said, ‘do the right thing’… “sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7.

Cain had a heart issue; he was jealous of his younger brother. Cain let his thoughts motivate the sin, fueling his anger. What comes out of the heart defiles you. Mark 7:20. 1 John 3:4-8.
The heart can and will deceive us. Enticement is lying in wait for us if we yield; if we allow it. Sin wants to control. We have to resist, subdue the thought, control the temptation.

Satan uses sin to cause sinful action because sin separates us from God. Sin grows in the thought life. Sin results in spiritual death. Cain left the Lord's presence. Genesis 4:16.
Satan, the enemy, makes you think you can't control the sin. But we are the ones who allow sin; therefore we can guard against sin.
We must take control of thoughts; it is a battle of the mind fought with prayer and the help of God. Don't give stronghold. The heart determines the course of our lives. Don't get sidetracked by distractions.
Subdue means bring under control. Be intentional and consistent. It is a constant battle. James 4:1. Philippians 4:6 tells us not to worry. Worry is a thought. Verse 7 tells us that the result of controlling our thoughts is the peace of God. His peace will guard your heart and mind. Fix your thoughts on what is true, right, and pure.

Titus 2:12 teaches us to say no to worldly passions. Beware of your desires and wrong motives. James 4:1-3. Resist the devil. Peter 5:8-9.
Refuse to let the world corrupt you. Win the battle with God’s love and faith. 1 John 5:3-5.

I thought this song would fit today: Good Fight.

Verses for Today:
Mark 7:20-23 NIV
20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”