Choosing Life: The Heart Behind Our Decisions

Summary

Genesis 4 tells the story of Cain and Abel, but at its heart, it is a story about God—His unchanging character, His sovereignty, and His relentless pursuit of humanity even in the midst of our worst failures. As Adam and Eve move east of Eden, life becomes more complicated, but God’s presence, purpose, and promises remain available. The world progresses and digresses at the same time: human innovation and creativity flourish, but so does sin and brokenness. The story of Cain and Abel is a vivid illustration of the two paths always before us—one leading to life, the other to death. There is no neutrality; every decision is a step in one direction or the other.

Cain and Abel both bring offerings, but God looks with favor on Abel’s because he brings the first and best, while Cain brings only “some.” The issue is not the type of offering, but the posture of the heart. God must be first. When Cain’s offering is rejected, he becomes angry and downcast, but God initiates a conversation, inviting Cain to take responsibility and make a better next choice. God warns him that sin is crouching at the door, but he must master it. The most important decision is always the next one, not the last one.

Tragically, Cain chooses to double down on his anger, leading to the first murder. Yet even in judgment, God’s mercy is evident. He does not destroy Cain but marks him for protection, demonstrating that human choices do not dictate God’s character or sovereignty. The consequences are real—Cain becomes a restless wanderer, disconnected from his place and purpose—but God’s plan continues. Even as evil seems to advance, God raises up Seth, and through him, people begin to call on the name of the Lord.

This narrative is a microcosm of the human story: progress and regression, blessing and curse, life and death. The blood of Abel cries out from the ground, but the blood of Christ speaks a better word—death does not have the final say. God’s purposes cannot be thwarted, and He continually invites us to choose the path of life, to be marked not by rebellion but by His Spirit. The question remains: which path will we choose, and whose mark do we bear?

Key Takeaways

- The Heart Behind the Offering: God is not concerned with the outward form of our gifts, but with the posture of our hearts. Abel’s offering was accepted because it was the first and best, reflecting a heart that honored God above all. Our actions are shaped by what is in our hearts, and God desires to be first in every area of our lives. [42:31]

- The Power of the Next Decision: No matter how badly we have failed, the most important decision is always the next one. God meets us in our moments of anger, disappointment, or regret, not to condemn, but to invite us into a conversation that leads to repentance and restoration. We cannot undo the past, but we can choose to do what is right now. [45:49]

- God’s Unchanging Character Amid Human Change: While humanity progresses and digresses, God remains constant. Our choices may bring consequences, but they do not alter God’s sovereignty or His willingness to extend mercy. Even when we deserve judgment, God’s grace can still be found, and His purposes move forward despite human rebellion. [52:17]

- The Two Paths: Life offers only two real choices—blessing or curse, life or death, wisdom or folly. There is no neutral ground. Every decision, big or small, is a step down one of these paths, and God continually calls us to choose life, to walk the narrow way that leads to Him. [57:59]

- The Mark We Bear: Just as Cain was marked, so too are we—either by rebellion or by the Spirit of God. The mark of the Holy Spirit is a guarantee of our inheritance and a sign that we belong to God, even in a world marked by violence and death. The blood of Christ speaks a better word than the blood of Abel, offering deliverance and hope to all who call on His name. [01:15:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:17] - The Cry of Abel’s Blood
[31:55] - Life East of Eden: Progress and Digression
[34:02] - The Double-Edged Sword of Progress
[36:39] - The Either-Or Reality: No Neutrality
[39:43] - Why God Favored Abel’s Offering
[42:31] - The Heart Behind the Offering
[44:02] - God’s Conversation with Cain
[45:49] - The Power of the Next Decision
[47:03] - Autonomy, Sin, and God’s Sovereignty
[52:17] - God’s Response to Cain’s Crime
[54:24] - Death Does Not Have the Final Word
[57:04] - The Curse and the Consequences
[01:01:48] - God’s Mercy and the Mark of Cain
[01:07:06] - Progress Used for Evil: Lamech’s Legacy
[01:10:19] - God’s Plan Continues: The Birth of Seth
[01:13:11] - The Two Paths: Destruction or Deliverance
[01:15:42] - The Mark We Bear: Spirit or Rebellion
[01:17:58] - Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Genesis 4 – The Two Paths Before Us

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### Bible Reading

- Genesis 4:1-26 (The story of Cain and Abel, their offerings, Cain’s response, God’s conversation with Cain, the consequences, and the birth of Seth)

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### Observation Questions

1. What differences do you notice between Cain’s and Abel’s offerings to God? What does the text say about how God responded to each?
2. How does God interact with Cain after his offering is rejected? What does God warn Cain about?
3. What are the immediate and long-term consequences for Cain after he kills Abel?
4. According to the passage, what new thing happens after the birth of Seth and his son Enosh? ([01:12:01])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the issue with Cain’s offering was not what he brought, but the posture of his heart. Why does God care about the “first and best” rather than just “some”? How does this reflect what is in our hearts? ([42:31])
2. God tells Cain, “sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” What does this teach us about temptation and personal responsibility? ([45:49])
3. Even after Cain’s terrible choice, God marks him for protection. What does this reveal about God’s character and His response to human failure? ([01:01:48])
4. The sermon describes the world as both progressing and digressing at the same time. What are some examples from Genesis 4 that show both human advancement and increasing brokenness? ([01:07:06])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “God is not concerned with the outward form of our gifts, but with the posture of our hearts.” In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to put God first? What would it look like to give Him your “first and best” this week? ([42:31])
2. When you experience disappointment or anger, how do you usually respond? Can you think of a recent situation where, like Cain, you were tempted to “double down” on a bad attitude or choice? What would it look like to make a better “next decision” instead? ([45:49])
3. The sermon emphasizes that “the most important decision is always the next one, not the last one.” Is there a specific area in your life where you need to stop focusing on past failures and instead make a faithful next step? ([45:49])
4. God’s mercy is seen even in judgment—He protects Cain despite his sin. Have you ever experienced God’s mercy when you deserved consequences? How did that change your view of God? ([01:01:48])
5. The story presents two paths: one leading to life, the other to death. Are there any “small” decisions you’re making right now that are actually steps down one of these paths? How can you be more intentional about choosing the path of life? ([57:59])
6. The sermon says, “Just as Cain was marked, so too are we—either by rebellion or by the Spirit of God.” What “mark” do you think you are bearing in your daily life? How can you be more aware of the Spirit’s presence and leading? ([01:15:42])
7. The blood of Abel “cries out,” but the blood of Christ “speaks a better word.” How does knowing that Christ’s sacrifice covers your failures give you hope or courage to face your current struggles? ([54:24])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to make the next right decision, for hearts that put God first, and for a deeper awareness of God’s mercy and presence even in times of failure.

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of the Next Decision

Every person faces moments when past choices weigh heavily, but God graciously invites us into a conversation, not to shame us, but to help us take personal responsibility and move forward. The most important decision is always the next one, not the last, and God gives us the freedom and opportunity to choose rightly, even after failure. When we are tempted to double down on a bad decision, God urges us to put the shovel down and make a new, better choice, reminding us that sin is always crouching at the door, but we are not powerless—we can choose the path of life. [45:49]

Genesis 4:6-7 (ESV)
The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are tempted to “double down” on a past mistake? What would it look like to put the shovel down and make a different, better decision today?


Day 2: God’s Unchanging Character Amid Human Choices

No matter how much the world changes or how far people stray, God’s character remains constant—He is always sovereign, always just, and always merciful. Human choices can bring about devastating consequences, but they do not alter who God is or how He ultimately responds; He continues to initiate conversations, offer opportunities for repentance, and extend mercy, even to those who have made the worst decisions. This truth is a source of hope: our failures do not dictate God’s faithfulness, and His plan cannot be thwarted by human rebellion. [52:17]

Malachi 3:6 (ESV)
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Reflection: When you consider your own failures or the brokenness of the world, how does knowing that God never changes affect your trust in Him today?


Day 3: The Importance of Honoring God First

God looks not at the outward gift, but at the heart behind it—He desires to be first in all things. The difference between Cain and Abel’s offerings was not in what they brought, but in the priority they gave to God; Abel honored God with the first and best, while Cain simply gave “some.” This principle runs throughout Scripture: when we put God first, we align our hearts with His, and our offerings—whether time, resources, or worship—become pleasing to Him. [42:31]

Genesis 4:3-5 (ESV)
In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been giving God “some” instead of your first and best? What practical step can you take today to put God first?


Day 4: Death Does Not Have the Final Word

Even in the face of violence, tragedy, and loss, God declares that death is not the end—He alone has the final word. Abel’s blood cried out from the ground, and God heard it, showing that even when evil seems to triumph, God’s justice and redemption are at work. Through Christ, whose blood “speaks a better word,” we are assured that death, in all its forms, is swallowed up in victory, and God’s plan for life and restoration continues unthwarted. [55:14]

Hebrews 12:24 (ESV)
…and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to be reminded that God’s life and victory are greater than the power of death or loss? How can you hold onto that hope today?


Day 5: Two Pathways: Destruction or Deliverance

Life continually presents us with two paths: one leading to destruction, paved with violence and self-will, and the other to deliverance, paved with sacrifice and the blood of Christ. God honors our autonomy, allowing us to choose, but urges us to walk the path of blessing, marked by His Spirit and leading to true belonging and purpose. The world’s progress can be used for good or evil, but God’s kingdom advances quietly and powerfully through those who call on His name, offering hope and a future that cannot be snuffed out. [01:13:47]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV)
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days…”

Reflection: What is one concrete way you can choose the path of life and blessing today, even if it means going against the flow of the world around you?

Quotes

There's not five choices. There's no neutrality in the world, okay? Something is either good or it's evil. There's no neutrality, okay? The Bible has stated this argument from the garden all the way to the streets of gold. [00:36:57] (00:00:15 seconds)  #NoNeutralGround Edit Clip

No matter what choice you and I make that has the possibility to change our life, We can't change God. God never changes. God is the same. That's why he's the character of the story. He does not change no matter how much the world changes. God doesn't. [00:38:24] (00:00:16 seconds)  #UnchangingGod Edit Clip

The reason Cain's offering did not find the favor of God, the reason that Cain did not experience the favor of God, is because he didn't honor God with that which was first. And we understand biblically that God must be first in all things. [00:41:48] (00:00:18 seconds)  #FirstInAllThings Edit Clip

But the single most important decision anybody will ever make in their lives is the next decision. It's always the most important decision. It's always the most powerful decision. Because you really can't do anything about the past one. You can only control the next one. [00:45:49] (00:00:17 seconds)  #NextDecisionMatters Edit Clip

You can't keep thinking that your thinking is going to fix your thinking. You know, it is the thing that cripples some people. They just keep doubling down. I think I can fix it. No, you can't. Well, no, if I do, stop. You got to stop at a certain point and realize God's saying, listen, your next decision, just make the right one. That's it. [00:46:39] (00:00:24 seconds)  #StopFixingStartChoosing Edit Clip

Absolutely, death ruins things. But it doesn't rule over anything. And that is true whether it be violent death, tragic death, death by the typical mortalities that exist on this earth. Death, sickness, cancer, all of those death. Guess what we get to know? That death doesn't have the final say. Nor does it have to have the final say. [00:55:30] (00:00:25 seconds)  #DeathDoesNotRule Edit Clip

Do you want to be blessed by God or cursed by God? You got to decide because there's only two options. I want God to leave me alone. Not happening. That's never going to happen. You don't want God to leave you alone. Because how are you going to take your next breath? How are you going to feed yourself, close yourself, and house yourself? It ain't happening. [00:58:01] (00:00:20 seconds)  #BlessedOrCursedChoice Edit Clip

Your freedom doesn't scare God, but it should scare you. It should get our attention that God ain't going to change the rules for old Greg Farrell. And that's going to happen. You read what you sell. If you do what is right, woo, you'll be approved. But if you don't, sin is crouching at that door. Now, what are you going to do? [01:04:01] (00:00:25 seconds)  #FreedomDemandsResponsibility Edit Clip

But once again, God comes in. He's still bestowing mercy on a murderer. Right. Right. Can you imagine being the Roman centurion? Remember we preached about him right after Easter? The guy charged with the assassination of the sinless son of God. He was the first person saved. We got to embrace this reality that the greatest news I could ever give you is God never changes. He's not just consistent. He's constant. [01:04:36] (00:00:42 seconds)  #MercyForMurderers Edit Clip

If Christ is our perfect Abel. Then we are the born again Seth. We are God's answer to a broken and criminalized world. That it is the people of God who I cannot promise you won't suffer. But I can tell you one thing, you will not be snuffed out. [01:13:15] (00:00:25 seconds)  #BornAgainSeth Edit Clip