Paul, in his letter to his friends at Philippi, says: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you appear as lights in the world” [2:14-15 NASB].
Paul also uses the Israelites in the exodus story as a negative example for us of the outcome for some of them who grumbled: “For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers…passed through the sea; Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer [i.e. death angel] [I Cor 10: 1,5,10 NASB]. Paul reminds his readers of the fact that God was not well pleased with most of the Israelites, due in part, to their grumbling against both God and Moses.
In an earlier part of chapter two of Philippians, Paul says: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant and being made in the likeness of men” [2:3-7].
In one sense Paul appears to ‘book-end’ this section of chapter two– ‘do nothing from [selfishness] …do all things without’ [grumbling]. He indicates that one of the outcomes or applications of walking in humility is that we will abandon grumbling, murmuring, or complaining. Doing so will certainly set us apart from most others, since Paul states we will appear as ‘lights in the world’ [2:15]. When we are trying to locate an address when driving at night, or looking for some misplaced item in our home, light is a most welcome friend. Light helps us find our way and helps us avoid missteps. Being ‘lights in the world’ means we, via our speech and behavior, show the way, enlighten the path for others to see a better way to live. Walking in humility, and avoiding grumbling, murmuring and complaining, is such a different way to live that we will certainly ‘stand out’ from others. Grumbling, on the other hand, will sour our soul, creating an odious spirit about us, negatively affecting those around us and slowly embittering our hearts. Our spiritual life may begin to slowly crumble, deteriorate, or at least ‘fossilize’. For the Israelites, those who grumbled while in the desert with Moses paid with their lives and the lives of their families [e.g., Korah-Numbers 16:1-40]. For us living today, grumbling and negative criticism can poison the environment of our home, our workplace, school, church, and relationships with others.
This is not to say we cannot speak up and address some injustice, or unethical or inefficient behavior in our workplace, church, government, etc. since, doing so from a humble heart for the purpose of attempting to resist evil, correct a wrong, or improve a circumstance, can result in a positive outcome [see Acts 6:1-4- “a complaint arose on behalf of the widows were being ignored or overlooked in the daily serving of food”]. Like most things, exercising wisdom, and discernment is a requirement to make sure we are not just griping, and grumbling, but are, in fact, trying to help improve a situation and address a wrong.
I suggest that one reason we grumble and complain, is due to our ‘small mindedness’. We fail to see the bigger picture-the ultimate outcome of where we are headed. For us as believers in Jesus, we know the outcome-the glories of heaven! “For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal. [II Cor 4:17-18], “For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” [Romans 8:18]
Could we endure, without always complaining, a seemingly long, often uncomfortable, and wearying journey, if we remain focused on the [‘vacation of a lifetime’] destination that awaits us? The writer to the letter to the Hebrews says of Jesus: who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him, who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you do not grow weary and lose heart” [Hebrews 12:2-3].
Am I, are you, a grumbling, griping, often oppositional sort of person? Is my ‘default’ to remain small minded, lacking a vision of what ultimately awaits those who actually belong to the risen Christ? Instead of being a light in the world for others, have you unintentionally snuffed out your light via your grumbling?
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, or Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” [Psalm 19:14]
CJS
When we grumble and complain, we are really directing our discontent at God. If He is the one who directs our steps and is sovereign over all things, then our complaints are a statement that we know better than He what should be happening. I am still learning not to complain and grumble. However, I am learning to do so less and less as I gain God’s perspective on His loving and wise direction in my life.
How true.?you make a good point. We need to see the big picture.