Griping, Complaining, & Murmuring (part 1)

Complaining is characteristic of those who believe God doesn't have the right to exercise His will in their lives. Remember the Hebrew slaves when they came out of Egypt? They pretty much complained the whole way from Egypt to Kadesh Barnea, then they were excluded from entering the Holy Land. God doesn't look lightly on complaining, but sees it as a lack of faith in Him. Moses got to the root of the problem when he told them, "Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord" (Exodus 16:8). God hears all complaining as complaints against Him.

How can we, who have been given the mind of Christ, continue to be complainers and argue against God? Some have made being argumentative their lifestyle, a habit that marks their attitudes and words. Arguing (disputing) is just another form of complaining, is it not? How can we have unity and one mind while we complain and argue?

Paul said, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings" (Philippians 2:14). Neither complaining nor arguing has any place in the church of Jesus Christ. Instead we are to be lights in the world, illuminating a better way to live. And that better way is characterized by three traits; we are to live blameless, harmless, and spotless. This Sunday, we will be looking closely at the causes of murmuring, griping, and complaining.