Do all things without MURMURINGS and ARGUING:

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

(Phil 2:14-15)

The fourth plague of the mind is complaining, or what the bible calls murmuring. I like to call it grumbling, because much of it sounds like we’re growling like hungry dogs.

Generally speaking, God hates it.

“How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, that murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.” (Num 14:27)?

However, before we go running off to condemn everyone that ever has a complaint, let’s make sure we know what we’re talking about.

Some complaints are warranted, and not condemned by God. “Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration” (Acts 6:1).

Here is an example of a “murmur” that was justified and a remedy was sought for the complaint.

There are some complaints that are warranted and should be expressed. Complaints about a health issue needs to be taken up with our doctors. However, when we complain about our health to every stranger, it becomes less about health and more about attention.

The children of Israel had several complaints in the books of Exodus and Numbers after leaving Egypt. Some of the notable complaints include:

These complaints often led to God’s interventions, and sometimes punishments as part of their journey in the wilderness. You’ll notice that they had 3 main categories of complaint that continue to all generations (Food, Conditions, and Leadership). What was the difference between a complaint that was answered and a complaint that invoked God’s wrath?

The main difference is when they were complaining about the blessing, and having no gratitude toward God for His provisions. Note just one example, the complaint about food. At the beginning of their journey, they had no food so they complained and received food (Ex 16:3). Later, they continued to complain about food, but not that it was lacking, but that they were tired of the Miracle Manna from Heaven. “but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all save this manna to look upon” (Num 11).

Even so, constant grumbling and complaining is frowned upon by God for at least another reason. It makes the Christian appear hopeless. Paul looked at the pains of life this way, “Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2Cor 4:16-18; cf. 2Cor 12:7-10; 1Pet 3:14-16).

What can we do when we feel that urge to complain. First, when faced with the THORNS of life, complain with Grace by being thankful for the good. We can show our gratitude by thinking about what is right amidst all that is wrong. “in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward” (1Thess 5:18).

We can be helpful in the area of complaints about Leadership. Instead of fault finding, we can solution seeking. We can Pray, and we can Participate. Be Helpful instead of Hurtful. “that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb 13:17).

When life appears unfair, instead of lamenting what’s wrong, let’s seek out Opportunities to serve our fellow man. When we are left out, go and include someone else in your plans instead of stewing in complaint. “Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts” (Jas 2:1-4)?

We can also Rejoice, like Paul, knowing that pain produces patience and glorifies God in our continuing hope of His return (2Cor 12:10; Jas 1:2-4).

Never complain to someone who can’t fix it or isn’t responsible for our problem. Much damage has been done against one person when we complain about them to another (James 3:10-15). That’s not to say we can’t share with each other about our pains (James 5:13), but let us be careful about hopeless complaining.

Finally, Seek Solutions that Serve. We can all serve in some manner, whether it be encouraging, ministering, giving, teaching, mercy, or cheerfulness (Romans 12). If there is nothing anyone can do, give it to God, and look forward to His return.

Agape,

Spencer

Based on a series “the 7 PLAGUES of the mind / heart”