Dominion Over Self

January 2 Reading:  Genesis 3-5, Luke 2

Topic: Self-Control

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis 4:6-7

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.”

OBSERVATION:

From the very beginning God equipped mankind with the power to resist sin—to “rule over it” (v. 7). The idea that we are helpless to live above our “animal instincts” or that that our behavior is linked entirely to our genetic make up, is just not true!

Because of the original sin of Adam, we are born in sin—that's true.  It is also true that scripture makes it clear that we are unable to save ourselves from our sin nature; that is why we need the Savior, Jesus Christ.  But it is also true that we are equipped to decide not to sin.  We need not be ruled by sin, but indeed have been created with the ability to live above sin—to rule over it and to help each other rule over it.

APPLICATION:

Just because we need to be saved from our sin nature does not mean that we have no choice but to sin.  God not only gave men and women dominion over the earth, He also gave us dominion over ourselves.  Let us recognize that dominion and exercise it with His help.

PRAYER:

Father, help us to live to the utmost of the potential You have created in us.  May we rightly exercise the dominion you have bestowed upon mankind over creation and over ourselves.  Amen.  -AP