"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."
Philippians 2:14-15
Complaining is the norm in our society. I've noticed that many conversations are complaints about our government, the economy, the taxes we pay, and even our weather. Some Christians complain about the sermon being too long, too dry, or too pointed. Others complain that the congregation is too small, too large, too cold, or too impersonal. When one reads the Old Testament pages, he will immediately notice that complaining, grumbling, and disputing were grave sins that brought great judgment from God. The Israelites were an excellent example of those who loved to complain, grumble, and dispute. Though God had delivered them from Egyptian slavery and had taken care of them, they were still dissatisfied. They wanted the food back in Egypt. Undoubtedly, they cared more about good food and slavery than freedom from slavery and the food God provided for them. The Israelites had a hard time trusting in God. They refused to depend on God through faith to take care of them.
Not much has changed today. Why? Because we Christians forget that we have been freed from the slavery of sin by the blood of Christ. Yet, we often choose to be unhappy, ungrateful, and selfish. We don't hesitate to show our unhappiness or discontent about the church, the gospel, the preacher, the elders, and our brethren. Some enjoy complaining about everything that they don't like. Like the Israelites of the Old Testament, they are full of grumbling, complaining, and disputing. God hates a grumbling and complaining heart. Complaining and grumbling are the opposite of joy and gratitude. God wants His children to be content, grateful, and joyful!
Our society has ruined us, making it harder to submit to one another as it should be. Our way is the only way that matters. We want everything done to suit our own lifestyle. We want what we want! We don't care enough about what others need. We’re so focused on our vanity and selfish desires that we become angry when we don’t get our way. We often complain, at times, with a venomous demeanor. We sometimes behave like spoiled children who throw tantrums when we don't get what we want. We develop the habit of complaining against God and one another. It is nothing new! It has been this way for centuries. God and His messengers have been the focal point for people to grumble, complain, and dispute. Many in the Lord's church today are no different. Brethren complain, whine and argue against one another over the smallest things.
God disapproves. He commands that we repent of this sin! This is a stumbling block for many. Have you noticed that those who love to whine, complain, and argue behave like children in many ways? They easily give in to this sinful pattern. It all starts in the heart with our thoughts, moving quickly to negative spoken words. Sadly many Christians don't realize that when they grumble and complain about one another, they are actually complaining against God, their Creator! Let us be careful! To murmur means to grumble, whine, or complain. In John 6:43, Jesus warns us not to grumble among ourselves. This warning doesn't stop Christians from complaining, grumbling, and disputing against one another. This terrible sin is also found in the home. It seems as if they need more than what they see as good. Not only do we make our own lives miserable, but we also make others miserable who do not deserve it. The Word of God warns us often. We must overcome this sin because God has commanded that we "do all things without murmuring or complaining." Therefore, we must humbly seek God's help. This is a grave sin that will cost us our souls.
I pray that you and I may be edified and encouraged by God's precious pearls of wisdom that speak to our hearts so that we can change these sinful patterns of grumbling, complaining, and disputing, not only to please Him but to save our souls. May the Lord help us open our hearts with humility so that we might be enlightened with His marvelous Truth and bear much fruit to His glory.
I. DO ALL THINGS WITHOUT GRUMBLING, COMPLAINING, AND DISPUTING:
- Why Do We Grumble?
- We Grumble or Complain When We are Short-Sighted:
Consider the following Bible accounts of those who loved to complain and grumble.
- "Then Pharaoh hastily called Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you" (Exodus 10:16). When Pharaoh sinned against Moses and Aaron, he was sinning against God.
- "And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness" (Exodus 16:2). They not only complained about Moses and Aaron but against their Jehovah God (Exo. 16:8).
- "Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. The people, therefore, cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord and the fire died out" (Numbers 11:1-2). When the Israelites complained, God sent fire among them that consumed them.
- "Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!" (Numbers 14:1-2). What did Joshua and Caleb tell them to do? "Do not rebel against the LORD." They were grumbling against Moses, Aaron, and God (Numbers 14:9, 27).
- "They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” (Numbers 16:3) They rebelled against Jehovah God when they (the congregation of Korah) rebelled against Moses and Aaron.
- "Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?' The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, chosen from the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord" (Num. 16:11, 28-41; 26:9). The Israelites continued grumbling and murmuring because of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Korah took men from among the congregation who gathered together against Moses and Aaron unto the door of the Tabernacle. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them, and the LORD told Moses and Aaron, saying, "Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly.’ But they fell on their faces and said, ‘O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?" (Num. 16:26-32)
- "But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord.” 42 And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.”' (Num. 16:41-45) Again, the Israelites began grumbling, gathering, and rebelling against Moses and Aaron.
- "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 'Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces. 46 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun.” 47 So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. 49 Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah. 50 And Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, when the plague was stopped'" (Num. 16:46-50). Because they complained, God struck them with a plague that killed 14,700, besides those who died because of Korah.
- "And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you" (Num. 17:5, 10).
- "And the people spoke against God and against Moses, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food'" (Numbers 21:5, 7).
- "Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.' The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. So the people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with the Lord, that He may remove the serpents from us.' And Moses interceded for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.' And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived" (Numbers 21:4-9). Serpents came and bit the grumblers.
- “Then we set out from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw on the way to the hill country of the Amorites, just as the Lord our God had commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-Barnea. I said to you, ‘You have come to the hill country of the Amorites which the Lord our God is about to give us. See, the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed... Yet you were not willing to go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your God; and you grumbled in your tents and said, 'Because the Lord hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us... " (Deuteronomy 1:19-46). God made the Israelites wander for 40 years, then He kept the original adult people who left Egypt from entering the Promised Land, except for Joshua and Caleb.
- "And said to him, 'Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.' 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, 'Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them'" (1 Samuel 8:5-7). When Israel complained against Samuel and rejected him, they were grumbling against God.
- We also see many examples of this giant sin in the New Testament. Consider the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16). Notice that although they had received their just due, they still murmured. Think of the Pharisees who murmured against the disciples of Christ because they were eating and drinking with the publicans and sinners when they all wanted to strike our Lord (Luke 5:29-32). Their primary concern was their selfish interests. They also murmured about Jesus being the Bread of Life (John 6:41) instead of investigating the facts about His Truth.
- We Grumble When We Are Mistreated:
There is an excellent lesson for us to learn from the Bible examples. How often do you complain about anything? Do you grumble against God because of your circumstances? Do you complain because you don't have a job, are unhappy in your marriage, family, or life, and don't have enough money or possessions? It would be wise to remember what Paul says.
"Do all things without grumbling or disputing."
It is a command! Remember that everything we do must be done heartily as unto the Lord without complaining. Link this Scripture to the message of Philippians chapter two. It will sound like this:
It is easy for us to shake our heads, criticize, and disapprove of the conduct of the Israelites who grumbled against God in the wilderness after all He had done to deliver them from Egyptian slavery. Yet, we often behave just like them when we are unhappy with God's riches (prosperity, wealth) and blessings toward us. We complain and grumble about everything that does not suit us or goes our way, even when we know God has prospered us. Yes, with this kind of selfish behavior, we are just behaving like spoiled brats, turning our discontent and anger toward our God. And why? Because we do not get everything that our hearts desire. How awful is that!
Selfishness is the second cause of complaining.
"Count others more significant than yourself without grumbling or disputing. Put the interests of others ahead of yours without grumbling or disputing. Sacrifice and die to self like Christ did without grumbling or complaining. Do your work without grumbling or disputing! Husbands and wives honor one other without grumbling or complaining.”
Selfishness is the second cause of complaining.
"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil 2:4)."Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification" (Rom. 15:2).
Selfish people love to complain, whine, and grumble!
We often complain about our own plight and exaggerate our woes. Indeed, life is not perfect and is full of many hardships. We are tempted to justify our grumbling because we suffer “like Job.” Even so, our complaint is not just or holy. Usually, we complain over small matters: the weather, pain, money, cars, houses, clothes, etc. Let us learn to be content because we have food and clothing (1 Tim. 6:8). "5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you”' (Heb. 13:5).
In I Corinthians 10:10, we have been admonished not to grumble or complain like the Israelites did in the wilderness. "Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer." We must change this grumbling and complaining heart into a grateful and content heart. We must change our negative and ungrateful thoughts into thoughts that are godly and grateful, full of thanksgiving, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8). So my question is, don't you think it is better to praise God than to grumble or complain?
When we complain about our trials, we leave room for discontent about everything else. Our eyes are not fixed on Jesus because as we work, we complain. Grumbling is not Christ-like. It crushes our spirit and makes it difficult to develop and grow our faith.
Too many Christians grumble all the time. Who wants to be around such people?! No one appreciates them! In the end, it is ugly. Let us help them to see that their attitudes are wrong, yet with meekness and gentleness of heart. We must learn from the Scriptures to be content and grateful. Only the Word of God can help us exercise our muscle of contentment to avoid sinning against our God. "For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content" (I Timothy 6:7-8). "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (Philippians 4:11).
II. PROVE YOURSELF TO BE BLAMELESS AND INNOCENT CHILDREN OF GOD: (Phil. 2:15).
God wants His children to be blameless and innocent without blemish. He is helping us make these changes in our lives. When we whine, we are not behaving like children who are blameless and innocent. It shows that we are not His children. Indeed, the world of darkness grumbles, complains and accuses God because they are not sons of God (they are crooked, evil, and twisted). We, as God's children, ought to be different from them. "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity just and upright is he. 5 They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation" (Deuteronomy 32:5).
Our God is faithful and upright, and the people have dealt corruptly. Therefore, "they are no longer His children because they are a blemished, crooked, and twisted generation." Apply this to Philippians 2, and it will sound as if Paul were saying: “We grumble and dispute because we are no longer His children. We are blemished because we grumble and dispute with God and others.” Let this command sink deeply into your heart! Grumbling disqualifies one from being a child of God. Why? Because we become blemished and are no longer distinct from this crooked and twisted generation. Israel's biggest failure was that they loved to grumble against Jehovah God because they did not trust in Him to take care of them. Grumbling means we don't trust God to provide for us.
Our world is crooked and twisted because they are not in line with God's Law. They are confused because they distort that which is true and good. In Acts 2:40, Peter told the people, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” This world is not the Light. It is moral darkness because of their unbelief and because they have chosen to exclude God from leading their ways. It does not provide that which is upright in life because they distort the Truth. This is precisely what Isaiah prophesied, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:20-21)
God wants us to shine as lights in this world of darkness rather than looking like the world. We shine our light when we point this world of darkness to the true Light, Jesus. We are lights that shine in this world of darkness when we choose not to complain, grumble, dispute, or argue. You see, complaining and arguing destroy the Light that we are supposed to shine. Since the world is not the Light, we are to be the Light that shines on them. Remember that Israel failed to be the Light and be a blessing to the nations (the end of the earth) when they rejected being the Light. Those who belong to Jesus now are a Light to the nations and a blessing to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; Daniel 12:3).
III. HOLDING FAST TO THE WORD OF LIFE: (Philippians 2:16).
Christians must hold fast to the Word of Life so we may point others to Christ. It is impossible to be lights in this world of darkness when we surrender to this world's ways (sinful habits and worldly practices). We cannot be lights that shine brightly in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation if we reject the riches of God's Truth and instead choose to follow the truth of this world. We must hold tightly to God's Word because this world can offer us only physical life. The Word of God is life to us. "2 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). On the other hand, the world does not offer us life but death. It is imperative for us Christians to love and hold fast or cling to the Word of God because it is life to our dying souls. We must save our life from death and bring it back to life. We must choose to love the Word of God, the Word of life, holding fast to it with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Only then will we be found acceptable and without blemish before God in the day of Christ.
It will be wise to remember what the apostle Paul says regarding the Israelites' grumbling against God after He had delivered them from Egyptian slavery. Read and examine carefully what Paul said to the Corinthians concerning the Israelites' grave sins as an exhortation to the Corinthians and us. Remember that those things were recorded for us.
Notice that God brought judgment on them for the grave sins of idolatry and fornication. He was equally incensed by their grumbling in the aftermath. In verse 7, we find idolatry; in verse 8, they indulged in sexual immorality, so God killed them. In verse 9, they put Christ to the test and were destroyed by serpents. In verse 10, they grumbled and were destroyed by the Judge and Destroyer of all. And though idolatry and sexual immorality are grave sins worthy of God's judgment, putting the Lord to the test and grumbling is as serious as idolatry and sexual immorality. All of those sins were worthy of the same level of judgment. Brothers and sisters, these things were written down so that we might not grumble like they did and find ourselves judged by the Great Judge. Let us be very careful and heed these words of life: "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12).
IV. THE REMEDY TO GRUMBLING AND COMPLAINING:
The Word of God is very specific about whiners and complainers (Phil. 2:14). Let us consider some practical solutions to this grave sin.
It is easy to be a grumbler without even realizing it. So often, we get caught up in negative thinking and complaining, ignoring the obvious, especially when surrounded by negative people and evil influences. Remember that our speech must be characterized by gratitude, faith, and joy instead of complaints, doubts, and bitterness for us Christians. It would be wise to remember that we are not to "be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven, and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few" (Eccl. 5:2). Let us speak less and be better listeners!
It is a sad reality that we live in a world of hurting people who barely make it daily. They're morally broken and have little purpose in life. Their goal is to get as much as possible out of life before reaching their final destination (death and judgment). These people don't need us to feed their despair and turn away from them because of their brokenness. They need us to speak gently and kindly to them. They need us to live the "good news" of Jesus Christ before them! They need Christ's servants to live with joy and gratitude instead of just talking. They need Christians to point them to Christ and His glorious gospel of salvation. They need Christians who make their struggles less burdensome (Rom. 8:18). Our brethren, weak and feeble or discouraged, also need us to help them lift their burdens in love and longsuffering. Complainers and grumblers are not able to accomplish this. It is sad!!
CONCLUSION:
There are so many lessons that we can learn from the Israelites in the wilderness. It takes a humble heart to grow through life's tests. When we think we are entitled to better treatment, pride rules and blinds us. The truth is that we are undeserving of God's grace. The prideful heart says, why me? The humble heart says, why not me? The meek can say, “God will help me to endure whatever trials come my way or whatever it is that I am facing at the moment.” Humility is the key to a grateful heart. Humility learns to accept and learn from whatever tests and trials come our way without complaining and grumbling. This godly approach is very pleasing to God. It takes an open and humble heart to grow through life's brokenness and tests.
Every time I read about how the Israelites chose to react every time they encountered new trials, I am astounded at how blinded they were and how short their memory was. At that moment, I cannot fathom how ungrateful and selfish the Israelites were toward their Jehovah God. A God who brought them out of Egyptian slavery and through the Red Sea, and yet they grumbled and complained against God when they experienced the first trial. They were thrown into waters of doubt and despair. How quickly do we forget all of God's provisions during our trials! How easy it is to forget how our God brought us to a place of abundance when we went through fire and water! It is then that I have to stop and examine myself carefully and realize that I am just like them too often and that I don't deserve God's lovingkindness toward me and all men!! Such ungrateful and selfish people we are!!
We have so much to be thankful for that should keep us from becoming complainers and grumblers. Our Lord has blessed us so richly that our lives should be full of joy and not complaint. Sadly, many focus on the negative, pointing out the worst in everything. Because of their negative heart, God is provoked to anger by such people, and they will not see the Promised Land, heaven. Selfishness is the root of this big sin (grumbling, complaining). Those who love to complain or grumble have not died to themselves yet! They have a long road ahead of them. After all, those who are dead don't complain, do they? Does God not require His children to die to themselves and live for Christ?! Absolutely!! (cf. Matt. 16:24, Gal. 2:20). So if you are a complainer or grumbler, it is time to repent and be transformed. Not only are you disobeying our Lord and displeasing Him, but you're also showing how immature you are. You are showing your lack of total commitment to Him. On the other hand, if you live for Christ and have died to self, why do you complain when you are mistreated or think you're not worthy of it? Why do you complain about your rights being violated? Life's challenges have a purpose. So resist the temptation to grumble or complain!
Grumbling is all too common among our brethren. They may be examples of morals and doctrine, but they fail regarding this big sin. We negate all the good we might do with this kind of whining behavior. If we don't repent of our grumbling, we will need to receive some discipline to save our souls. Otherwise, condemnation awaits those who grumble, complain, and dispute. Please, be aware that our grumbling can divide us. We become antagonistic toward one another's points of view and begin to falter. God's discipline is to bless us and not harm us. Lest we forget, God hates one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:19). We must exhort with the Word of God (Gal 6:1-11). We must pray and ask God for wisdom and understanding to guide us according to His will. Let us learn from the Israelites' example, who were denied entrance into the Promised Land because of their grumbling and complaining. For Christians today, our Promised Land is heaven and eternal life with God. Let us take this to heart! "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Eph. 4:31-32).
Grumbling is the poison that kills us little by little, leaving us little hope of escape. Therefore, let us reject all grumbling, complaining, and disputing. Remember that this is a spot; we must be presented to God without blemish. God will judge us. When we grumble, we cannot offer thanksgiving to God. Moreover, we fail to be lights amid a dark world of sin. So let’s overcome grumbling and complaining by holding fast to the Word of Life. Let us allow God's lovingkindness and steadfast love to penetrate the thoughts and intentions of our hearts and mind. Let us learn to be content and grateful and realize all God has done for us. Remember that God owes us nothing and yet has richly blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3).
I would like to conclude with Paul's words of exhortation and a poem.
May our Lord help us never to be selfish grumblers, but rather to regard one another as better than ourselves. May we always look out for the welfare of one another. May our hearts be enlarged to pursue those things which make for peace and the edification of one another. May we not fall into the temptation of grumbling and complaining but rather be content while walking this path of life. May we always have grateful hearts full of joy.
Luci
We often complain about our own plight and exaggerate our woes. Indeed, life is not perfect and is full of many hardships. We are tempted to justify our grumbling because we suffer “like Job.” Even so, our complaint is not just or holy. Usually, we complain over small matters: the weather, pain, money, cars, houses, clothes, etc. Let us learn to be content because we have food and clothing (1 Tim. 6:8). "5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you”' (Heb. 13:5).
In I Corinthians 10:10, we have been admonished not to grumble or complain like the Israelites did in the wilderness. "Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer." We must change this grumbling and complaining heart into a grateful and content heart. We must change our negative and ungrateful thoughts into thoughts that are godly and grateful, full of thanksgiving, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8). So my question is, don't you think it is better to praise God than to grumble or complain?
- We Grumble When Our Faith is Weak:
When we complain about our trials, we leave room for discontent about everything else. Our eyes are not fixed on Jesus because as we work, we complain. Grumbling is not Christ-like. It crushes our spirit and makes it difficult to develop and grow our faith.
Too many Christians grumble all the time. Who wants to be around such people?! No one appreciates them! In the end, it is ugly. Let us help them to see that their attitudes are wrong, yet with meekness and gentleness of heart. We must learn from the Scriptures to be content and grateful. Only the Word of God can help us exercise our muscle of contentment to avoid sinning against our God. "For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content" (I Timothy 6:7-8). "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (Philippians 4:11).
- We Grumble When We Are Lazy:
- We Grumble When Our View of God is Not Enough For Us:
II. PROVE YOURSELF TO BE BLAMELESS AND INNOCENT CHILDREN OF GOD: (Phil. 2:15).
God wants His children to be blameless and innocent without blemish. He is helping us make these changes in our lives. When we whine, we are not behaving like children who are blameless and innocent. It shows that we are not His children. Indeed, the world of darkness grumbles, complains and accuses God because they are not sons of God (they are crooked, evil, and twisted). We, as God's children, ought to be different from them. "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity just and upright is he. 5 They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation" (Deuteronomy 32:5).
Our God is faithful and upright, and the people have dealt corruptly. Therefore, "they are no longer His children because they are a blemished, crooked, and twisted generation." Apply this to Philippians 2, and it will sound as if Paul were saying: “We grumble and dispute because we are no longer His children. We are blemished because we grumble and dispute with God and others.” Let this command sink deeply into your heart! Grumbling disqualifies one from being a child of God. Why? Because we become blemished and are no longer distinct from this crooked and twisted generation. Israel's biggest failure was that they loved to grumble against Jehovah God because they did not trust in Him to take care of them. Grumbling means we don't trust God to provide for us.
Our world is crooked and twisted because they are not in line with God's Law. They are confused because they distort that which is true and good. In Acts 2:40, Peter told the people, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” This world is not the Light. It is moral darkness because of their unbelief and because they have chosen to exclude God from leading their ways. It does not provide that which is upright in life because they distort the Truth. This is precisely what Isaiah prophesied, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:20-21)
God wants us to shine as lights in this world of darkness rather than looking like the world. We shine our light when we point this world of darkness to the true Light, Jesus. We are lights that shine in this world of darkness when we choose not to complain, grumble, dispute, or argue. You see, complaining and arguing destroy the Light that we are supposed to shine. Since the world is not the Light, we are to be the Light that shines on them. Remember that Israel failed to be the Light and be a blessing to the nations (the end of the earth) when they rejected being the Light. Those who belong to Jesus now are a Light to the nations and a blessing to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; Daniel 12:3).
III. HOLDING FAST TO THE WORD OF LIFE: (Philippians 2:16).
Christians must hold fast to the Word of Life so we may point others to Christ. It is impossible to be lights in this world of darkness when we surrender to this world's ways (sinful habits and worldly practices). We cannot be lights that shine brightly in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation if we reject the riches of God's Truth and instead choose to follow the truth of this world. We must hold tightly to God's Word because this world can offer us only physical life. The Word of God is life to us. "2 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). On the other hand, the world does not offer us life but death. It is imperative for us Christians to love and hold fast or cling to the Word of God because it is life to our dying souls. We must save our life from death and bring it back to life. We must choose to love the Word of God, the Word of life, holding fast to it with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Only then will we be found acceptable and without blemish before God in the day of Christ.
It will be wise to remember what the apostle Paul says regarding the Israelites' grumbling against God after He had delivered them from Egyptian slavery. Read and examine carefully what Paul said to the Corinthians concerning the Israelites' grave sins as an exhortation to the Corinthians and us. Remember that those things were recorded for us.
"6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.' 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:6-12).
IV. THE REMEDY TO GRUMBLING AND COMPLAINING:
The Word of God is very specific about whiners and complainers (Phil. 2:14). Let us consider some practical solutions to this grave sin.
- Overcome Grumbling By Being Realistic:
- First comes abundance (they had what they needed and were content and thankful).
- Second comes expectation (they enjoyed abundance, expecting it would continue).
- Third is disappointment (the abundance they expected was no longer available, so they were disappointed).
- Fourth is complaint (disappointment led them to grumble and complain).
- The final part is provision (God, in His mercy and grace, provided what was needed, many times after discipline). Doesn't this cycle sound familiar in our lives as well?
- Overcome Grumbling By Recognizing That All Complaining is Ultimately Against God:
- Overcome Grumbling By Being Careful With Our Words:
“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Prov. 13:3)
“Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.” (Proverbs 13:3)
- Overcome Grumbling By Setting Our Minds On Things That Are Good And Positive: (Col. 3:2)
- Overcome Grumbling By Surrounding Ourselves With Positive And Faithful Companions:
- Overcome Grumbling By Keeping In Mind That Our Righteous Influence Can Encourage And Edify One Another:
It is a sad reality that we live in a world of hurting people who barely make it daily. They're morally broken and have little purpose in life. Their goal is to get as much as possible out of life before reaching their final destination (death and judgment). These people don't need us to feed their despair and turn away from them because of their brokenness. They need us to speak gently and kindly to them. They need us to live the "good news" of Jesus Christ before them! They need Christ's servants to live with joy and gratitude instead of just talking. They need Christians to point them to Christ and His glorious gospel of salvation. They need Christians who make their struggles less burdensome (Rom. 8:18). Our brethren, weak and feeble or discouraged, also need us to help them lift their burdens in love and longsuffering. Complainers and grumblers are not able to accomplish this. It is sad!!
CONCLUSION:
There are so many lessons that we can learn from the Israelites in the wilderness. It takes a humble heart to grow through life's tests. When we think we are entitled to better treatment, pride rules and blinds us. The truth is that we are undeserving of God's grace. The prideful heart says, why me? The humble heart says, why not me? The meek can say, “God will help me to endure whatever trials come my way or whatever it is that I am facing at the moment.” Humility is the key to a grateful heart. Humility learns to accept and learn from whatever tests and trials come our way without complaining and grumbling. This godly approach is very pleasing to God. It takes an open and humble heart to grow through life's brokenness and tests.
Every time I read about how the Israelites chose to react every time they encountered new trials, I am astounded at how blinded they were and how short their memory was. At that moment, I cannot fathom how ungrateful and selfish the Israelites were toward their Jehovah God. A God who brought them out of Egyptian slavery and through the Red Sea, and yet they grumbled and complained against God when they experienced the first trial. They were thrown into waters of doubt and despair. How quickly do we forget all of God's provisions during our trials! How easy it is to forget how our God brought us to a place of abundance when we went through fire and water! It is then that I have to stop and examine myself carefully and realize that I am just like them too often and that I don't deserve God's lovingkindness toward me and all men!! Such ungrateful and selfish people we are!!
We have so much to be thankful for that should keep us from becoming complainers and grumblers. Our Lord has blessed us so richly that our lives should be full of joy and not complaint. Sadly, many focus on the negative, pointing out the worst in everything. Because of their negative heart, God is provoked to anger by such people, and they will not see the Promised Land, heaven. Selfishness is the root of this big sin (grumbling, complaining). Those who love to complain or grumble have not died to themselves yet! They have a long road ahead of them. After all, those who are dead don't complain, do they? Does God not require His children to die to themselves and live for Christ?! Absolutely!! (cf. Matt. 16:24, Gal. 2:20). So if you are a complainer or grumbler, it is time to repent and be transformed. Not only are you disobeying our Lord and displeasing Him, but you're also showing how immature you are. You are showing your lack of total commitment to Him. On the other hand, if you live for Christ and have died to self, why do you complain when you are mistreated or think you're not worthy of it? Why do you complain about your rights being violated? Life's challenges have a purpose. So resist the temptation to grumble or complain!
Grumbling is all too common among our brethren. They may be examples of morals and doctrine, but they fail regarding this big sin. We negate all the good we might do with this kind of whining behavior. If we don't repent of our grumbling, we will need to receive some discipline to save our souls. Otherwise, condemnation awaits those who grumble, complain, and dispute. Please, be aware that our grumbling can divide us. We become antagonistic toward one another's points of view and begin to falter. God's discipline is to bless us and not harm us. Lest we forget, God hates one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:19). We must exhort with the Word of God (Gal 6:1-11). We must pray and ask God for wisdom and understanding to guide us according to His will. Let us learn from the Israelites' example, who were denied entrance into the Promised Land because of their grumbling and complaining. For Christians today, our Promised Land is heaven and eternal life with God. Let us take this to heart! "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Eph. 4:31-32).
Grumbling is the poison that kills us little by little, leaving us little hope of escape. Therefore, let us reject all grumbling, complaining, and disputing. Remember that this is a spot; we must be presented to God without blemish. God will judge us. When we grumble, we cannot offer thanksgiving to God. Moreover, we fail to be lights amid a dark world of sin. So let’s overcome grumbling and complaining by holding fast to the Word of Life. Let us allow God's lovingkindness and steadfast love to penetrate the thoughts and intentions of our hearts and mind. Let us learn to be content and grateful and realize all God has done for us. Remember that God owes us nothing and yet has richly blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3).
I would like to conclude with Paul's words of exhortation and a poem.
"8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:8-13).
ODE TO THE HABITUAL GRUMBLER!
By Luci Y. Partain
Some people can be found all 'round,
Who grumble night and day,
Oh, they grumble without ceasing,
For they are ceaseless grumblers,
And nothing gives them joy!
They grumble in the city,
They grumble on the farm,
They grumble at their neighbors,
They grumble at their husbands,
They grumble at their wives,
They grumble at their children,
They grumble in their deluded hearts,
For they think it not ill,
And the grumbler can ne'er do well.
They grumble when it's raining,
They grumble when it's dry,
They grumble when it is hot and cold,
They grumble when they're hungry,
They grumble all the way
And they get so angry when they're hungry!
They grumble at their reapings,
They grumble at their failings,
They grumble, and they sigh,
They grumble when they're high,
And they'll grumble till they die!
They grumble at the preacher,
They grumble at his preaching,
They grumble at the teacher,
They grumble when he's teaching,
They grumble at God's people,
They grumble at their songs.
And they grumble even at their prayers,
They grumble if to them we speak,
They grumble if on them we call,
They grumble if we don't,
They grumble, and they stumble,
The stumble, and they fall,
They grumble everywhere,
And make others stumble.
Stop it, won't you, please!
Why not praise the Lord!
There's no joy in grumbling, Oh grumbler,
Repent Oh wayward brother,
And die to your selfish habit,
Let Jesus be your Light,
And He will guide your path,
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,
For Jesus, a crown of life will give you,
And a wide door He'll open,
To enter the heav’nly home,
To dwell forevermore.
May our Lord help us never to be selfish grumblers, but rather to regard one another as better than ourselves. May we always look out for the welfare of one another. May our hearts be enlarged to pursue those things which make for peace and the edification of one another. May we not fall into the temptation of grumbling and complaining but rather be content while walking this path of life. May we always have grateful hearts full of joy.
Luci