There is definatly a progression to sin. If fact God laid it all out to Cain in Genisis 4:7.
This progression is again laid out very clearly in the first chapter of Romans with even more detail. It is because the progression to sin has been so clearly described to us in scripture that it is a key point for us to pay special attention to. There are many trying to make excuses for sin as God calls it, but beware, what God calls sin is sin, what God calls evil is evil. Sin is not an illness.
In this instance both Cain and Abel had made an offering to God. Both from their trades. One was accepted as good by God and the other was rejected. Just after this event God spoke with Cain in an attempt to teach him.
Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Quite simple really. To do well will is to be accepted by God. To not do well leads to a sequence of events. It’s kind of interesting, it looks like a logical argument in a program.
If you don’t do well sin lies at the door. Sin is close at hand, God giving us a picture of a kind of ambush being set up by sin. It’s the age old battle between good and evil. Some tend to think that this battle is for heaven and earth, but not so, the battle is for individual souls. Those who follow after God, will be victorious, those who fall to the ambush of sin will not be victorious. The interesting part is that God places the decision with each individual person. Do you believe God and do good, or do you not do good and fall for sin that awaits you.
The decision then is taken and the battle ensues. To not do good sin moves into the position of taking us. Is that the end then, once and done? No way. God is great, good, and full of grace. This decision doesn’t have to be a once and done decision. We sometimes tend to think that the decision to turn from God is final. The verse goes on to say that sin desires to rule us but thou shalt rule over him. We have the ability to rule sin, to move away from sin and back to God. He is always there to accept us. To redeem us.
Cain on the other hand seems to have taken the whole conversation to mean that He was out of grace with God. He allowed sin to take him in ambush, and the results of his actions was the murder of his brother. Sin always leads to destruction and hurt. To follow God leads to fulfilment and joy. We have to make a decision numerous times per day between accepting God’s way and doing good, or to not do good. It is a choice each time, and we must choose with care.
According to the first chapter of Romans, the more we choose to ignore God, to intentionally forget Him, the further into hurt and disaster we go. The more we deny His existence the more deprived we become, the more hurtful and destructive we become. Just take a look around at the world we now live in. The evidence is everywhere. It’s undeniable!