Contemplative Bible Reading

Job 11:14 (New American Standard Bible)

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

Romans 6:12 (New American Standard Bible)

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,

Genesis 4:7 (New American Standard Bible)

“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

Let’s begin with the last verse listed as it occured first. God is speaking to Cain right after He was more pleased with Abel’s offering than with Cain’s. In this translation, we find the word “countenance” given to describe Cain. We don’t use this word today – it means his expression, his emotion.

God is encouraging Cain. “Pick it up, get over it, come on. If you continue to pout, sin will be at your door:”

you must master sin

Go to the passage from Job, “don’t let wickedness live in your tent.” Keep that stuff away from you. This is tough to do in today’s world of instant access to every imaginable kind of information. So, don’t let wickedness live in your mind.

Paul repeats the thought in Romans: keep sin out of your being. That will solve most of your, i.e. my problems.

God, help me to keep the sins of the world away from me while I walk in this world. I cannot do this on my own. I need your help. Please.