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Grumble

A Complaining Spirit

by TerryLema

One last thought about our spiritual heart health this month—that is the danger of possessing a complaining, grumbling, murmuring spirit. Philippians 2:14: “Do everything without grumbling and arguing.” [HCSB]

As a society we have become professional complainers. We complain about everything. Prices, politics, neighbors, roads, traffic, restaurants, products. Name something, anything, and you have probably heard someone complain about it.

As believers, we cannot allow a complaining habit to develop in our lives. The Greek word translated “complainer” means “one who is discontented with his lot.” It is a cousin to the word grumbler.

Complaining, grumbling, murmuring destroys the peace, patience, and joy that the Spirit of God wants to produce in our lives. It shifts our focus from the plans and purposes of God for us. It also causes us to forget the love and blessings God worked in our lives in the past.

The opposite of a complaining, grumbling, murmuring spirit is a spirit of gratitude, thankfulness, and trust. That is what should permeate the life of a believer. I would add that we can be honest with God when things are difficult and trials abound, but honesty is different from whining about our lot, or complaining about God to others!

Give us LORD, instead a spirit of gratitude for all you have done for us. Amen

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Grumble, Grumble, Grumble

by TerryLema

Philippians 2:6-11 contains what theologians call, the Kenosis passage. We looked at it yesterday.

Kenosis in its simplest form means emptying. Jesus laid aside the privileges that were His in glory. Rather than stay on His throne, He made “Himself nothing” and came to earth choosing the position of slave. He chose death on a cross so that we might have life eternal as children of God. He gave up glory so that we might enjoy eternal glory in the presence of our Father God.

Reading a little past that Kenosis passage, I came to this admonition.  It is one that is so relevant for our life in this present age.

“Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.” [Philippians 2:14-15 HCSB]

Notice that word “everything?” We are to do everything, all things, without complaining and grumbling or arguing. Most of us are able to do somethings without complaint, but Paul does not provide any stipulations … we are exhorted to do it all with a joyful spirit, one that makes us shine like stars.

I like what Matthew Henry commented about this verse, “God’s commands were given to be obeyed, not to be disputed.”

I guess we should once again listen to ourselves and what flows out from the abundance of our hearts. Are we hearing grumble, grumble, grumble? Or are we hearing Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice! Jesus is LORD!

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