The NIV 365 Day Devotional
Spiritual Dysfunction
This passage shows us that it’s possible to be the wrong kind of worshiper. Both Cain and Abel approached God, but he accepted only one of them. Why?
The key is found in verse 5. The problem wasn’t just the offering; it was the person making the offering. The verses that follow show the murderous results of Cain’s anger. Clearly, Cain’s offering wasn’t presented in the right spirit; he had a spiritual dysfunction.
Throughout the Bible we discover that God looks beyond our actions and considers our motives. A person can’t just go through the motions with God. God knows what’s inside each of us and is unimpressed by rituals that have no sincerity or substance behind them.
As you continue to search for God, know that he cannot be fooled. Honestly face your spiritual “shadows” and admit to God that they exist. In that way you’ll not only be searching for the God who is real, you will be real, not faking it.
Taken from The NIV Journey Bible.