Complaining Only Makes Things Worse |
| By Dr.
Dale A. Robbins
As we look back into the Old Testament and see how God dealt with
the Children of Israel, we discover that the Lord always considered their complaints as an
act of unbelief directed toward Him. When they complained about their circumstances, their
type of food, and even at Moses, God was displeased because they weren’t thankful for
what He had provided them. He was disappointed that they refused to trust in Him to
provide, protect, and direct the order of their lives. “Now when the people
complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So
the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the
camp” (Numbers 11:1). Complaining is
Evidence of Unbelief Regardless of whatever circumstances may cause discontent or
dissatisfaction, complaining is always an expression of unbelief toward God’s order
in our life. You see, the whole premise of Christianity is that Jesus becomes the Lord
(boss) of our life and our circumstances. They are in his hands. Thus, if believers
complain, it really becomes an accusation against our Lord, in whom we’ve trusted our
lives. “...for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what
are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD” (Ex. 16:8). (See
also Psm. 106:24-26) Complaining is unbelief in God’s Word which says “...all
things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according
to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). If the Christian really believes that the Lord is in
control of their life, and is working “ALL THINGS together for our good,” he
will stop complaining and start thanking the Lord for the plan He is working together for
us. Even when the Devil comes against our faith with trials that are
“not so good,” God will even turn these situations around and “work them
together for good” as we remain steadfast in faith. Don’t become bitter and
start complaining, but continue to praise God and give thanks to God “in spite”
of all things. This will prevent the Devil from overcoming you with discouragement and
will send him fleeing. “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18). Thanksgiving is the expression of gratefulness and faith in God, and
is the very opposite of complaining. Giving of thanks expresses appreciation for what God
has done, what He has promised, and the confidence that He is directing our life with His
order and provision. God will answer prayers and work in the behalf of the thankful (Psm.
50:14-15). Complaining
gives Place to the Devil The Apostle Paul warned Christians to avoid the danger of
complaining. “...nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by
the destroyer” (1 Cor. 10:10). In this Paul indicated that complaining actually gives
place to the Devil in our lives and opens the door to destruction by Satan (the
destroyer). The Devil thrives in an atmosphere of complaining. Complaining can literally
invoke a curse of destruction as it did in the lives of the Israelites who were destroyed
in the wilderness. The Israelites kept complaining that they were going to die in the
wilderness (Num. 14:2-3), so the Lord finally got fed up with their whining and actually
allowed their complaints to come upon them. He said, “How long shall I bear with this
evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children
of Israel make against Me. Say to them, As I live, says the LORD, just as you have spoken
in My hearing, so I will do to you: The carcasses of you who have complained against Me
shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire
number, from twenty years old and above” (Num. 14:27-29). The Lord allowed the
Destroyer to answer their complaints with the very destruction that they confessed and
predicted. Complaining is
Not for Christians The Apostle Paul tells Christians to do all things without
complaining (Phil. 2:14), and the epistle of Jude places complainers in the same category
as ungodly sinners who will inherit judgment: “...to execute judgment on all, to
convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds... These are grumblers,
complainers, walking according to their own lusts...” (Jude 1:15-16). Complaining is
common-place in the lives of unbelievers who have no trust in God, but Christians should
be people of faith, filled with gratefulness and thanksgiving. Besides this, the Bible teaches all believers to dwell upon the
“good and virtuous” things (Phil. 4:8). So if all Christians obeyed this
scripture, what would they find to complain about? Complaining is evidence of not obeying
God’s Word. What about the root of complaining? As said previously,
“complaining” is an expression of discontent. Therefore, if Christians were
“content” in Christ Jesus as Paul said we should be, they wouldn’t have
anything to complain about. “...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be
content” (Phil. 4:11). (See also 1 Tim. 6:8, Heb. 13:5) I use to think people complained because they had a lot of problems.
But I have come to realize that they have problems because they complain. Complaining
doesn’t change anything or make situations better. It amplifies frustration, spreads
discontent and discord (which God hates - Prov 6:16-19), and can invoke an invitation for
the destroyer to cause havoc with our lives. How important it is that believers guard the words of their mouth!
The scriptures tell us that our words are literally the basis for whether we are justified
or condemned. Realizing this, we should eradicate negative words, griping, or grumbling,
and fill our mouth with praise and thanksgiving! “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37). This article (VL-105) is copyrighted © by Dale A. Robbins, 1990, and is a publication of Victorious Publications, Grass Valley, CA 95949. Unless otherwise stated, all scripture references were taken from The New King James Bible, © Thomas Nelson Inc., 1982. You may download this article for personal use as long as you retain credit to the author. Obtain permission before reproducing copies for any reason, by filling out our simple permission form. This writing is also available as an attractive tri-fold pamphlet, which can be downloaded for reproduction from our Online Catalog. For media reproduction rights, or to obtain quantities of this title in other formats, email us. |
We may
know it by different terms -- such as griping, grumbling, whining, or belly-aching. In the
King James version of the Bible, the common term used was “murmuring.” But
regardless of the word we use to describe it, complaining always has the has the same
syptoms. The dictionary defines it as “an expression of unhappiness, dissatisfaction,
or discontent.” Complaining is the outward expression of discontent from within.