Author: Amy McLellan
Philippians 2:14-16
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Grumbling in a biblical context refers to the act of complaining or murmuring in discontent, often against God or authority figures. Although to some people it might not be a big deal to grumble or complain, but to the Lord, It is viewed as a serious sin that reflects a lack of trust in His provision and can lead to spiritual consequences.
In 1 Corinthians 10:10 Paul says And do not grumble, as some of them did-and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us. So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
Wow, talk about a consequence! Pastor Jamie shared on this a few weeks ago and when I read this verse, I was alarmed. The Israelites displeased God so much so that this was their consequence. Praise the Lord, He sent His son Jesus!
In Exodus, the Israelites grumbled in the wilderness. They watched God do many miracles from parting the Red Sea and walking on dry ground in the Red Sea, to receiving manna from heaven, to receiving water from a rock. They saw the miracles. They benefited from the miracles, yet they still grumbled and complained.
What is the condition of the heart in a people who have witnessed and benefited from the miracles, but still grumble? Discontentment and rebellion. Pastor Christina spoke on that today, worshiping, bowing one’s heart to the Lord. Instead of worshiping God for who He is or what He did for the people of Israel, they complained, grumbled, were discontent and rebelled in their hearts.
In Numbers after the twelve spies went into Canaan and came back with their reports, ten being reports of defeat by the giants in the land, and two being reports of faith in the Lord God that they could defeat the giants in the land, the people rebelled. They believed the report of the ten spies. They had no faith in God even though they witnessed many many miracles. God became fed up to say the least.
Numbers 14:27 “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. So tell them, ‘As sure as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: in the wilderness your bodies will fall-every one of you twenty years old or more was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.”
From this verse we see how serious God takes grumbling. It will cause you to stumble. It will cause you to be discontent, in this situation, it caused a whole community to be discontent with the LORD! The consequence was major! They wouldn’t be allowed to enter the Promised Land.
Can you imagine if there was much grumbling in our church community? Can you imagine if it spread throughout? No wonder Paul tells us to do everything without grumbling or arguing so that we may become blameless and pure. Not just individually, but as a community. He says that we will shine like the stars in the sky as we hold firmly to the word of life.
The stars in the sky are bright and numerous they declare the glory of God.
The heavens declare the glory of God; they skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
When we become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and warped generation then we declare the glory of God, we proclaim the work of his hands.
How do we do this?
By doing everything (everything means everything, not some things, but everything) without grumbling or arguing. This means when we are going through hard situations that we don’t understand.
This means when we are having a rough day or when we are going through it with our children.
This means when we have a disagreement with someone, when we are driving around or out running errands and we don’t get everything done.
This means when we are exhausted from working or schooling our children, and then have to be mom or take care of the house.
This means when we feel like we can’t fit one more thing into our schedule.
This means that when the bills stack up and it seems like they will never be fully paid.
This means that when someone in your family or community has offended you. Whatever the situation, do everything without grumbling.
This seems like a hard teaching. It seems like a challenge. Sure, maybe you can get through most things without complaining or grumbling in your heart, but what is the one thing that you find yourself getting worked up over or mumbling about?
Whatever that thing is, bring it to the LORD first. Pour out your heart and frustrations to him and move on. Don’t go back to the Lord to grumble again. Just bow before him in worship because, after all, he is worthy of all worship. We bring him glory when we are content with him.
Father
I thank you that you are humble in heart and long suffering. Thank you for not scattering our bodies or smiting us when we grumble or complain. I pray that we each would have a heart of gratitude in every situation, finding you in every situation we are in. You are so patient with each of us. Help us to be patient with you, with your timing, with our family, community, and those you put in our paths. May you receive all the glory as you purify each of our hearts. May we be content with you and hold firmly to your word of life. You deserve all glory, honor, praise and worship. I pray that we each can humble our hearts before you. Help each of us to shine like the stars in heaven and bring you glory.
