Complaining


      People like to complain. It is almost a national pastime. We complain 
about our jobs. We complain about the weather. Sometimes we even complain 
about God. Christians sometimes have the notion that only good things are 
supposed to happen to us. Our lives should be a breeze as long as we are 
walking with God. In one sense that is true. God knows all of our needs (Luke 12:30; 
Matthew 6:8, 32) and would never leave us to handle things on our own. His word is 
“a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). No matter how well 
God takes care of us, some will still complain. As God’s children, we ought to know 
how God feels about complaining, whether it is about Him or anything else. 

      A great place to start this study is Philippians 2:14-15. There we read “Do all things 
without murmurings and disputings: 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.”  The first thing we should note is the context around this 
passage. This chapter is talking about serving one another. Christ Jesus is the example 
given of servitude and humbleness. Then verse 14 gives the instruction to do all without 
complaining. If we complain while doing what God expects us to do, how are we any 
different than the world (verse 15)? 

      In the Old Testament, there is a special group of people that liked to complain. No 
matter how many good things that God did for these people, they still found something 
to complain about. The people are of course the children of Israel, God’s chosen. The 
Israelites complained about not having enough water (Ex. 15:24). They complained about 
not having enough bread (Ex. 16:2-3). They even complained about the leadership of 
Moses (Numbers 16:1-14). Finally, God had had enough. God told Moses and Aaron 
“Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a 
moment” (Numbers 16:21). After all the Father had done for the children of Israel, they 
still were not happy with what they had. God even gave them the things they were 
complaining about not having enough of and yet they still complained. It seems that 
even God has a point in which He says enough is enough. If not for the intervention 
of Moses on their behalf, the whole congregation of the Israelites would have been 
consumed for their complaining. As it turns out, there were three primary leaders of 
the rebellion against Moses (and therefore God) and those God punished (see 
Numbers 16:23-33). 

      There are also several scriptures relating to why we shouldn’t complain. The 
Hebrew writer, in Hebrews 13:5, tells us to “be content with such things as ye have: 
for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” No one should complain 
about anything if God is always with them. Colossians 3:23 says “…whatsoever ye 
do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Do you complain about your 
boss or your family? Do you complain about the traffic or the weather or the country? 
God expects us to be better than everyone else. His children are to do all with the 
idea that their Father is watching and guiding them every moment of the day. Finally, 
remember “the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example 
of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure” 
(James 5:10-11).
 

In Christ, Steve Preston




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