The Way of Cain

A fisherman who filled a bucket with crabs to take to the market every day was asked why he never put a lid on his catch. Wouldn’t the crabs climb out? The fisherman replied, “I don’t need to put a lid on the bucket. As soon as one starts to climb out, the others reach up and pull him down.”

People can be the same way. As long as we are all equal and on the same level, we can live with that. But as soon as someone starts doing a little better than the rest of us, we want to pull that person down.

The Bible warns of going “in the way of Cain.” The way of Cain, simplified, is the way of hatred. And so often, hatred is rooted in envy.

Cain was the first son of Adam and Eve. But instead of growing up to be a godly man, he became a wicked man. He even turned out to be a murderer. When God accepted his brother Abel’s sacrifice but rejected his, Cain was angry. His heart was filled with envy, which turned into hatred. And when Cain gave in to hatred, he ended up murdering his brother.

The way of Cain is to have a heart and life that is filled with jealousy, envy, and hatred. It is to reject all responsibility for your actions. It is also to lie to God about what you have done. The way of Cain leads to the curse that came upon Cain. That is why we want to make sure we don’t harbor anger or bitterness.

If you are experiencing envy or hatred today, nip it in the bud. Don’t allow it to continue.