Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and listed generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Philippians 2:14-15
The only and most strenuous exercise some of us ever get is by grumbling and complaining. I know with certainty that you know people like this. They grumble and complain about everything. The coffee’s too hot. The weather’s much too cold. The sermons are way too long. And the preacher’s just too old! Notice today as you interact with people how much of your conversation includes grumbling and complaining. Now I would never accuse you of grumbling and complaining. It’s those other people who do it. We’re much too good to be involved in such conversations. We love Jesus too much to be walking around complaining all the time (do you hear the sarcasm?).
Could it be that we have fallen into the trap of a habit that shows our discontent with the Lord? I know you’re asking how that could be. People aren’t born complainers. They emerge through a lifetime of experiences. How we handle those experiences can affect others in a way that could minimize your opportunity to share the Lord with them.
Contentment reveals itself in our speech
Contentment is a tough place for people to find. With our global pandemic in full bloom, we can find so much to dislike. I don’t like wearing masks. I hate sanitizing my hands all the time. And what is this new term? Social Distancing? Who made up that term? I can’t even pump gas without the fear of touching something that may have a live virus attached to it. I hate working from home. And it goes on and on and on and on.
Paul said we should do ALL things without grumbling or disputing. I believe he instructs us to experience contentment in every situation (Philippians 4:11). It’s too easy to complain about everything. Discontentment leads to complaining. This constant complaining is not God’s desire for us, and it’s not up for debate. It is truthfully a trust issue.
Discontentment leads to complaining, which is a result of a lack of trust in the Lord.
Discontentment causes a lack of spiritual influence
I know what you’re saying. Sometimes a good old complaining party is good for the soul. But is it? People notice our discontentment and complaining. And what I’ve seen over my 30 years in ministry is that I enjoy hanging around complainers less and less. It is so emotionally and spiritually deflating. What do you think people who struggle with their belief in God think about you when you complain? Picture this…
You’re a Christ-follower and try to live out your days honoring Him in all you do. But your one problem is that you complain ALL THE TIME ABOUT EVERYTHING. When others look at you, they think to themselves…”Hmm…if he acts like that, there is no way he could serve a God who provides for all his needs. I’m just like him. I complain about the same things. He’s no different than I am.”
Paul says we need to live lives of contentment because others are looking, and we should be light to a twisted and perverse world (Philippians 2:15). Are you? Are you living a life that shines bright with the contentment and peace that only God can provide, or do you complain and grumble while leading others down a dangerous path?