The Poison of Grumbling
Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15
"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will 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."
Cowboy Wisdom:
"Complaining around the campfire never fixed a broken fence. If you've got a problem with the trail boss, ride up and tell him—don't poison the whole outfit with your grumbling."
The Greek-speaking Christians had a legitimate concern—their widows were being overlooked. But notice what they did: they complained among themselves rather than going to those in authority who could actually do something about it.
The word used here is "gongysmos"—the same word used when the Israelites grumbled against Moses in the wilderness. And remember what happened? Because of their complaining, God didn't allow them to see the Promised Land. They died as corpses in the wilderness. God takes grumbling seriously because it destroys unity and undermines His work.
When you complain to those who aren't involved, you're sowing discord. When you complain to those who can't do anything about it, that's grumbling. Both are destructive.
How many churches have been destroyed by a spirit of grumbling? God may be working miraculously, souls are being saved, and then someone gets it in their head that they aren't appreciated. They go around complaining to anyone who'll listen, and suddenly the work of God grinds to a halt.
You'll find the same kind of people wherever you go. If you saw problems everywhere in your last church, you'll see them in the next one too. The common denominator might be your own heart.
Questions for Reflection:
Do I go directly to leadership with concerns, or do I spread them around to others first?
Am I known as someone who builds up or someone who tears down?
What "root of bitterness" might be affecting my perspective on church issues?
How often do I express gratitude versus complaints about my church?
Prayer Focus:
Confess any tendency toward grumbling or sowing discord. Ask God to guard your tongue and give you the courage to address issues properly—directly with those who can solve them.
