Have you ever heard folk respond with "no complaints" or "no use complainin’ no one wants to hear it anyway"? The Bible instructs us to avoid complaining and arguing. Does that mean we can never offer a constructive criticism or debate vital issues? Of course not. God, Jesus, the prophets and the apostles all expressed “concerns” about such issues as sin and righteousness.
The Bible does give us various guidelines for sharing such concerns: directness, courtesy and being constructive. What are not allowed are mumbling, grumbling (muttering), festering bad attitudes, and arguments for argument's sake. What is not allowed is complaining and arguing that is tinged with a rebellious attitude or as they say in the South "jest bein' plain ornery".
The amazing aspect of this instruction is that we are to do EVERYTHING without complaining and arguing. This means that transformed believers are to be permeated with a consistently joyful, grateful, peaceable, contented spirit. Sounds like the Holy Spirit to me! The text teaches us this is the salvation of God at work in us. Transformed from the inside out!
See you Sunday! (and don't complain about coming to church!)
1. Read Exodus 16:1-7
a. What did the people grumble about? v.3
b. Who did they grumble against? v.3
c. What was the solution? v.4-6
d. What was the placed named and why? v.7
2. What indicators are there in the Philippians letter that that church had issues with complaining and arguing? 2:2-4: 4:2
3. Do EVERYTHING without complaining and arguing! Read Paul's call to consistency in other areas. I Thessalonians 5:15-22.
4. What do we do with a legitimate concern?
a. Be direct - Gal. 2:11 (don't spread it around)
b. Be constructive - Ex. 18:17-19
c. Be courteous even in disagreement - Gen 13:8
5. Where is the best complaint department in the world? Psalm 142:1,2
“You talk about me all you please. I'll talk about you on my knees."
- Amiee Semple McPherson
