The following excerpt is taken from What Every Christian Should Know About Satan. Order your copy in print, Kindle, or Audible versions here.

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John writes in his first letter: “For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: “We should love one another, unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous” (1 John 3:11-12).

John repeatedly states that true followers of Jesus love one another – so much so that this differentiates us from unbelievers (cf. 1 John 2:7-11; 3:11-18; 4:7-21; 5:1-4). This message does not originate with John, for Jesus taught the same truth: “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). 

Now, John sets this command against the backdrop of a dark event in human history: the story of Cain. John has in mind Genesis 4, where we read the account of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Both sons offer sacrifices to God. Abel, a shepherd, brings the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions to the Lord. Cain, a farmer, presents some of the land’s produce. 

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