There
is grumbling, complaining and discontentment in America. We are more divided than ever over social
issues, race, gender, the economy, and the list goes on. There are those who are complaining about
some of Dr. Seuss books and cartoons like Paw Patrol and even Aunt Jemima. I just heard on the news that there are those
who are complaining about the Kentucky state song, “My Old Kentucky Home”. There are complaints about the police and how
our officials are handling the pandemic – to wear a mask or not to wear a mask,
should businesses be closed and if so which ones, and should we take the Covid
vaccine or not. People seem to be
blaming every type of issue on racism.
We
grumble about almost anything - the weather, our government, our churches, our
circumstances and so many other trivial things.
We complain about other drivers when we’re in our car. We complain about what others are wearing,
how they talk, how they look and even the words they say. We complain at the referees at ballgames even
when we are watching on TV and they are many miles away. Do you recognize yourself in any of these?
Yes,
we should fight for what is just and right, but many people are fighting for
the wrong things. We don’t believe in
gender rights, but fight for women’s rights.
We abort the unborn by the millions.
We have God printed on our money, but there are those who don’t want His
name in public. When things don’t go the way we think they should, we complain,
protest and riot. You don’t see
complaining about those who take the law into their own hands, those who destroy
and loot businesses. When is this
grumbling and discontentment going to stop?
Abraham
Lincoln said “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (this is similar to
what Jesus said in Mark 3:25.)
Grumbling
and complaining is nothing new to humanity.
In Exodus God parted the Red Sea and freed the Israelites from Egyptian
bondage. Three days later they grumbled at
Moses because they had no water. If God
could do a miracle like parting the sea, surely they should believe He could
give them water. God gave them
water. Then they grumbled because they
had no food, so God gave them manna.
Then they grumbled because there was no meat, so God provided quail for
them to eat. Then when they ran out of
water, they grumbled again and He provided water again. Moses told them when they grumble they were
doing it against God.
Just
like in Bible times, we do a LOT of grumbling and complaining. We never seem satisfied. We live in the middle of a crooked and unfair
evil world. As God’s children we are
supposed to shine light into a dark world.
We are to set the example as to how to live, especially by not
complaining about every little thing.
Our grumbling and complaining is tarnishing our testimony to an unsaved
world. Many people will never read the
Bible, but they do read you. Our
testimony is built on our life in Christ, a life free from grumbling and
complaining. It should be filled with
the joy of Christ and the salvation He has given us.
Grumbling
and complaining is more that being discontent.
It’s the voice of unbelief. We
grumble and complain when we have listened to others rather than to God. We need to trust God and His great plan for
us. He’s the Creator and the one in
control. So when you complain you are
doing it against God Himself. Grumbling
and complaining is rebellion against God and is a sin.
Phil. 2:14 - “Do everything without grumbling and arguing.”
Life
is not perfect and it won’t be until we get the heaven. Moses wasn’t a perfect leader. We
have no perfect leaders in our churches or in our communities. We have seen with our own eyes how corrupt
our government leaders can be. When we
complain we are saying that God isn’t doing a good job and he’s made a mess of
things. Remember God knows what He’s
doing. So keep giving thanks in all
things.
1 Thess. 5:18 - “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for
you in Christ Jesus.”
Grumbling
and complaining can become a habit. Watching
too much news and listening to the complaints of others influences us many
times in a negative way. It causes you
to be negative about almost everything.
It causes us to be stressed. It
causes us to be unhappy. Our friends
don’t like to hear us always complaining.
How
can we stop our complaining?
We
need to become more positive and focus on being grateful and aware of our
blessings.
We
need to pursue peace by dying to self and giving up our personal desires.
We
need to avoid corrupt talk and speak life.
“Do not
let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for
building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who
listen.” – Eph 4:29. “But I tell you that
anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” – Matt. 5:22.
If you can’t say anything positive, don’t day anything at all.
We
need to persistently read God’s Word. What
comes out of our mouths is what is in our hearts and minds. “For out of the heart
come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false
testimony, slander.” – Matt.
15:19.
We
need to pray continually. Ask God to
help you stop your grumbling and complaining.
Ask Him to replace your bitterness with a heart of compassion and love.
There
are many Scriptures on grumbling and complaining. Here are a few:
James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be
judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
1 Peter 4:9 “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
Exodus 16:8 “…Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”
Jude 1:16 “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires;
they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.”
John 6:43 “Jesus answered them, Do not grumble among yourselves.”
Principle: Do everything without grumbling and arguing.
If
you are one who grumbles and complains even sometime, I hope this has made you
realize you need to stop. You are only
hurting yourself and your happiness. Ask
God to help you think before the words come out of your mouth. I know you will be happier person because of
it.
Join
me here next week for the next time. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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