The Spirit of Cain

However, there are others who share the spirit of Cain. They know that we disagree with their beliefs or aspects of their life, and just the fact that we believe that God does not accept their behavior causes them to hate us. But why? We are children of God’s light, and light exposes the truth of one’s actions; it also exposes that there is something wrong with the person they have chosen to be. Consider John’s words from John 3:19-21:

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

Many desire to take pride in their sin, to celebrate it, to glory in it. They claim that their deeds, desires, and actions must all be accepted in the name of tolerance. But we as Christians, who have been taught by God, know that such deeds only lead to further corruption and death (Rom. 1:18-32). And the very fact that we live differently, that we do not condone or celebrate their actions, reminds them that they are in darkness.

This is the reason that Cain hated Abel. Though Abel simply did what God required, his very life reminded Cain that there was something wrong with his. Likewise, the life of a Christian reminds others that there is something wrong with theirs—and that they, like Cain, are not accepted by God. Therefore, it is easier to hate Christians than to “do well.”

Though Christianity often leads to peace with many people, for some it only brings a sword. Though this is not happy news, such facts must be remembered, lest we be surprised or caught off guard when it does happen, lest we fall away (John 16:1). As Jesus said:

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:18-19).

Yet it is still a great honor when we are hated for our obedience because we share with Christ in His same struggle and are counted as blessed. It is a reminder that our reward is great (Matt. 5:11-12). It is in this we can take comfort, as well as knowing such affliction is only for a little while. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:10-11:

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”