Have you ever gotten really angry? Maybe your brother or sister tattled on you, or your friend broke your favorite toy. That angry feeling is a warning sign—kind of like a bell ringing to say, “Be careful! Don’t do something you’ll regret!”

In the Bible, there was a man named Cain who ignored God’s warning bells. Cain was angry at his brother Abel, and God actually came and talked to him about it! God basically said, “Cain, I see you’re mad. If you make good choices, everything will be okay. But if you make bad choices, sin is waiting right at your door like a hungry lion ready to pounce!”

Sadly, Cain didn’t listen to God’s warning. He let his anger grow and grow until he did something terrible—he hurt his brother Abel. Cain is remembered today as someone who made a really, really bad choice because he didn’t listen to God’s warning.

But here’s the good news: YOU can be different! When you feel angry, jealous, or like you want to do something wrong, that feeling inside is God’s warning bell ringing in your heart. The Bible is full of God’s warnings to help us make good choices. When we listen to God’s voice through the Bible and prayer, He helps us stay away from sin!

Think About It: The next time you feel that feeling of anger or jealousy, remember it’s God’s warning bell! Try flipping it around and seeing the other person like God sees them—they’re a child of God, just like you! If you’re jealous that your friend got a new toy, can you instead find a way to be happy for them? When your brother or sister tattles on you, can you calmly apologize and make things right?