“But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain…” (Jude 1:10-11)
A fisherman who filled a bucket with crabs to take to the market everyday was asked why he never put 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 it 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 better than the rest of us, we will 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 and 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 he ended up killing his brother.
The way of Cain is to have a heart and life filled with jealousy, envy and hatred. It is to think your troubles are due to the blessings of your neighbor. Those with this mind set believe if they don’t deserve the good, then no one else deserves it. The way of Cain is evil and does not consider the progress of all. That is why we should love one another and always have the wellbeing of our neighbours at heart.
Lose yourself from the bondage of hatred and pain and receive the tender heart to walk in love, humility and peace with your neighbours.