Who is Master?

Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Genesis 4:6,7

My heart is heavy over the struggle with sin in people's lives. It is even heavier at the lack of struggle against it in more lives. It is understandable that the unbeliever still lost in darkness is mastered by sin. They have not the light of the knowledge of God so they do not discern their ways as being offensive to Him, nor do they care. But believers...have the light; His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 So why???? Why the rampant sin? People falling into alcohol, porn, unhealthy relationships, foul language, self-reliance etc. Idols we cling to instead of turning to and trusting in the Lord with all our hearts.

The cares of this life choke out the word of God. (Matthew 13)
Leaning on our own understanding. (Prov 3: 5,6)
Forsaking our cross that we are called to carry. (Luke 9:23)
Forsaking the fellowship (accountability) of other believers. (Hebrews 10:25)
Grumbling and complaining (Philippians 2:14)
Loving the world and the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17)
Failing to separate ourselves from the worldly influences. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Prayerlessness (Prov 3:5,6)

Dear Father in Heaven, call us out from our compromise, from our complacency, from our apathy, our perversion of your grace. Forgive us for failing to pursue you with vigor and forsake all other things that hinder our true devotion to you. Revive us, Lord, change us and make us more like you. Give us eyes that see in the Spirit, that we may have eternal perspective. All else fades in the light of your glory. Enable us to see you, Jesus! To know that you are HOLY!! Enable us to smash the idols we trust in. To throw them out and cling to you and the cross. Help us see your worth, and reverence you again. To master our flesh and submit to your Spirit. Help us to hold one another accountable. To bear fruit in keeping with repentance. In your sweet powerful Name. Amen