PHILIPPIANS 2:14-16 – Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
THEME OF THE DAY. WHAT WE ARE REALLY SAYING. WARNING CONTENTS ARE PAINFUL. A disclaimer is necessary with the topic we are addressing. It is painful for a couple of reasons. First, all of us are guilty. No one is exempt. All are exposed. Next, such exposure is painful. It makes us vulnerable, humble, and with nowhere to hide. However, this is good pain. This is good exposure. This is necessary and helpful. To be exposed and confronted is the first step to overcoming. And when it comes to this topic, we need to be overcomers. A lot is at stake, and primarily our witness to the world of the reality of the Lord Jesus, and our own healthy walk with Him. The topic? The sin of complaining. Yes, it is sin. Yes, it is easy. Yes, we do it. Yes, it is serious.
In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul gives the command “don’t complain.” He is simple and direct. He does so in the context of “all things” and that means “no complaining about the weather, the traffic, disobedient children, insensitive spouse, tough work environments, government officials”, and, like the Energizer battery bunny, the list goes on and on and on. We are to complain not once about anyone, anything, or any situation. And should we find ourselves complaining, we need to step back and seriously ponder what we are really saying in our complaining. It isn’t a small issue. It isn’t something on the surface or in the moment. It goes way deeper so let’s go deeper . . .
If we take time to evaluate any and all complaining, we begin with acknowledging this is not a sin caused by bad relationships, tough circumstances, or changing situations. We are not victims. We don’t have to be products of outside sources, and we are never given “a pass” when it comes to our sin. We own it and complaining is a sin of the heart that is caused by being discontent with God. The evil behind this easily tolerated sin is what it says about our relationship with the Lord.
When we complain about anything, anyone, or any situation, we are telling God two things. First, “I am not happy with Your sovereign will unfolding in my life. I want my will, not Yours.” The second thing complaining tells the Lord is, “I am not content in You alone. You do not satisfy all my deep longings in my life. I need a change in my human relationships, circumstances, and situations to be truly contented”.
These are difficult “pills” to swallow. Our pride digs in when it comes to justifying our sin of complaining, but fight against it. Take time and really think what our complaining says to God. If we do, we have just taken the first step to slay this evil in our hearts and lives.
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me for the way too many times I complain and forget the evil behind this easily tolerated sin.”
QUOTE: “Complaining is not a circumstance-driven sin. It is a heart-sin telling the Lord, “I am not pleased with Your will.”