Genesis 4:7 English Standard Version (ESV) “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.”

There is no point of reference that I have found so far that indicates the sin knocks at our door. There are many teachings to be found on the subject which say sin knocks at the door, but is it true?

1 John 1:8 English Standard Version (ESV) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Since we have sin with us, then sin is crouching on our side of the door and need not knock.

This goes back to God’s instruction to Cain to rule over sin. We cannot rule over something that is not present with us.

Revelation 3:20 English Standard Version (ESV) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Allow me to offer one more scripture before continuing.

John 10:27 English Standard Version (ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Jesus does not only knock, He announces His presence and His sheep know His voice and they open the door to Him.

Sin has no voice in my temple, it just crouches at the door waiting for me to go out into the world.

Ephesians 4:29 English Standard Version (ESV) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Looking to the Word for answers we may find we have questions that are not answered directly and need more study. One in particular comes to mind in today’s verse of the day.

“As fits the occasion” is open ended advice. At this reading my thoughts went to an awkward moment in my own life when words of comfort failed me. That was at my wife’s funeral.

I found no comfort in platitudes and common phrases we all hear way too often. 

My condolences didn’t cut through the pain.

I am sorry for your loss held no sincerity.

She’s in a better place only added to the pain.

Mark 16:10 English Standard Version (ESV) She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

Only my son wept with me and in our grief the Holy Spirit came to us like a soothing breeze, not taking away our pain, but making it bearable. My son said “I felt that.”

His words still echo through my memories today, eighteen years later. We shared something extraordinary at a moment when no one else could touch our pain. It was a God moment I will never forget.

Matthew 5:4 English Standard Version (ESV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

God has an answer for every awkward moment.