“And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.”
-Numbers 11:1
It didn’t take long for Isreal to ignore the faithfulness of God when things got challenging. They had been delivered from Egypt, they had seen the signs and walked through the ocean. God had demonstrated great things to them, but that didn’t stop them from complaining when God’s plan didn’t meet their expectations.
Paul summarized Israel’s story and uses it as a warning for Christians in 1 Cor 10:9-10, He says, “We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction.
Church, we must not forget complaining is a dreadful sin. God’s anger burns against it. It’s really the desire to complain that’s the sin. Even if the words never come out of your mouth, but your heart is in constant discontentment, you need to know that discontentment is coming from an ungrateful heart.
The temptation for us is to think, if only we knew the purpose of this trial maybe we could handle it better. Maybe if God just gave us a sign or something we could persevere. But, if you were to map out your life, you would skip all the hard parts but God in His mercy and goodness doesn’t do that. And just like Isreal was quick to forget their deliverance, Christians too, ignore the blessings of our savior. When you are given over to a whiny murmuring heart you are climbing over your Savior who suffered and died and rose to rule for you. Your complaints are truly a complaint against Him.
This attitude is prohibited to Christians – we are told to do all things without murmuring or disputing, so that we may shine like lights in the midst of a perverse generation. We are commanded to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
God has opened up Himself to you in prayer and He has given instruction on what to do when you’ve been sinned against. He has given us everything we need. We are to go to Him and follow His ways.
Complaints seize any opportunity. They can easily be a theme of a long car ride with the kids fighting and yelling in the back. They can be the rhythms set in the home from a father who hates his job. They can be the fuel to a fight with your spouse. They can be directed to your church or even your elders but take this warning. Train yourself that in all circumstances there is no grumbling, disputing or complaining about your misfortunes.
When Christians do this well, it is a clear picture that they truly believe in a God that is working all things out for their good and His glory. Where there is true hardship go to the Lord and trust Him with it. Practice your faith there. Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
The cure for a nagging critical spirit is not complaining, its faith. Its prayer. Its worship. God has delivered from the slavery of an ungrateful heart now walk in freedom in His redemption for you.