“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” (Philippians 2:14, ESV)
A group of friends went out for a meal together. It wasn’t a special occasion but just a time to relax and talk after a busy week. That was all good. But then I listened a little more closely. Mixed into the conversation were complaints. Just little things, picky things. This wasn’t real butter with the bread, just margarine. The cream with the coffee wasn’t “real” cream. And so the evening went—grumbling instead of gratitude. Not just about the food but about life in general.
I then realized that this happened frequently when this group got together. There was always something wrong, some little something to grumble about. Then came my light bulb moment. Why did I spend time and money just to listen to people complain? (Have you ever been there?)
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
When the Israelites left Egypt for the Promised Land, they grumbled and complained about more that real butter and real cream for their coffee. As we read through the accounts of their wilderness experiences, it seems they complained about everything. Yes, there were hardships in the desert, but they apparently had forgotten the hardships they had endured while slaves in Egypt. They complained about the food, about the water situation, about the leadership, and about the difficulty of taking the land.
God heard their complaints and was not pleased.
“How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me.” (Numbers 14:27, ESV)
The Israelites refused to recognize that their own disobedience and lack of faith in God was the cause of their problems. They also failed to realize that mumbling and complaining carries consequences. Sadly, that generation died in the wilderness and never reached the Promised Land. In I Corinthians 10 Paul used them as an example to warn the church about the dangers of complaining.
THE CHURCH
In Ephesians 4:29 Paul admonishes the church to watch what they say.
“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.” (ESV)
When we display a grumbling, complaining spirit, we affect those around us in a negative way. The words we speak will build others up or tear them down. This is true within the family, on the job, and also within the church. The choice is ours. Do we really want to do that? That’s why we must choose our words carefully.
THE ANTIDOTE
Yes, there is an antidote, a cure, for a complaining spirit. What the children of Israel and others who are complainers lack is a thankful spirit. It is impossible for thankfulness and complaining to coexist. Regardless of the difficulty of our circumstances, and we will all have such times, God has the power to supply our every need. We must trust Him and thank Him.
- “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6, ESV)
PERSONAL REFLECTION
- Have you been affected by the complaining spirit of another person?
- If you are a grumbler, how does that affect your relationship with others? With God?
- What actions can you take to show more gratitude even during difficult times?
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
