Ordering the Inner Life
“God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.”
According to Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, the plain sense of this verse is that HaShem saw that the light was good, and that it was “not seemly that light and darkness should function together in a confused manner.” Therefore, HaShem assigns each its own sphere of activity (Rashi on Genesis 1:4:1).
We see this pattern throughout the Creation narrative. HaShem creates light and separates it from darkness. Waters above, waters below. The sea and dry land. Day and night. Male and female. HaShem established the world with boundaries and distinctions. Everything is given its proper place and time, role and function. And we’re told: “God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).
The narrative then turns to mankind, where Adam and Chavah are given a boundary of their own:
“But as for the tree of knowledge of good and evil, you must not eat of it.”
— Genesis 2:17
The forbidden tree is described as the knowledge of good and evil, and HaShem establishes a clear boundary around it. And, as we know, Adam and Chavah break HaShem’s boundary by eating the fruit of this tree, and are exiled from Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden).
After their expulsion from the Garden, we read about their son Kayin as he grapples with his anger over HaShem’s rejection of his offering. He, too, is given a boundary. Adam and Chavah’s boundary concerned something outside themselves: do not eat from this tree. Kayin’s boundary turns inward. HaShem warns him:
“Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
— Genesis 4:7
Kayin’s anger and disappointment are real, and HaShem can see it in his fallen face. HaShem sees what is taking place within Kayin before he’s done anything to Hevel. His anger has brought him to a dangerous threshold. Sin is crouching at the door. It’s seeking entrance into his heart and mastery over him.
What does it mean that “its desire is for you”? Does sin have a will of its own that it has desires? According to Rashi, this passage refers to the yetzer hara, that is, the personification of man’s inclination towards wrongdoing—the evil inclination (Rashi on Genesis 4:7).
The sages of Israel give us a great picture of how this inclination gains influence over a person. The Talmud describes the yetzer hara as a traveler who comes from afar. If he is welcomed, he becomes a guest. Eventually, he becomes the master of the house (Sukkah 52b:5).
That image really helps illustrate what’s going on with Kayin. Sin is still crouching at the door, and HaShem is warning him before he opens it. In life, we’re bound to face situations that cause us anger, resentment, envy, or desire, and these things can begin to occupy a small place within us. If we entertain them like welcomed guests, we give them more and more room to take root in our hearts. And, eventually, a passing impulse can begin to govern our thoughts and actions. This is why HaShem tells Kayin: “You must rule over it.”
Rashi comments on this verse that even though the inclination longs for a person, “If you desire to, you can gain the victory over it” (Rashi on Genesis 4:7).
Our righteous sage Rav Sha’ul describes this inward struggle in his letter to the community of disciples living in Galatia:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
And those who belong to Messiah Yeshua have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
— Galatians 5:16–17, 24
All of us experience desires, emotions, and impulses that can pull us away from the way of God. It is part of what it means to be human. Spiritual maturity includes learning, with the grace and assistance of HaShem, to bring these things back into their proper place. This is part of what it means to walk by the Spirit.
When Kayin stood at the precipice of sin, HaShem told him:
“Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted?”
HaShem saw Kayin’s distress and intervened on his behalf while another response was still possible. Rav Sha’ul assures us HaShem Himself assists us in our struggle against the yetzer hara.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:13
We are responsible for resisting the inclinations that pull us toward sin, and we can depend on HaShem’s help in that struggle. We have to genuinely desire that our inner lives be brought under God’s rule, and when we turn to Him honestly and sincerely, He will help us.
Reflect today on what is ruling within you. Have you made room, intentionally or unintentionally, for resentment, envy, or unhealthy desires? What thoughts do you continually return to? What emotions are you especially susceptible to? Consider how these things might be influencing how you speak, behave, or treat others.
In the beginning, HaShem brought order to creation, giving everything its proper place and purpose. We are called to cultivate that same order within ourselves, so that our thoughts, emotions, and desires serve what is good and remain under God’s rule. This is part of the lifelong work of becoming more like our Master Yeshua. And we can take comfort in knowing that HaShem, who brought light out of darkness, is faithful to help us in this work.
Father in heaven, help us to recognize what is taking place within our hearts. Give us wisdom to see when anger, resentment, or unhealthy desire begins to take hold. Help us to hear Your voice, to walk by Your Spirit, and to choose what is good. Bring our inner lives under Your rule, and form us more and more into the likeness of our Master Yeshua. Amen.
