No Complaining

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Philippians 2:14-15)

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about complaining and what it really means when we complain against anything.  Is not every complaint a direct complaint against God?  Is there a single complaint that does not carry with it a weight of consequence?  The consequence being something or someone is put down in our lives.  In this case, I feel that every complaint is a put down to God and actually insulting to the provision He has given us.

No matter what I complain about or how much I try to justify my complaints.  Don’t they all say one thing, “I’m not satisfied with how things are going.”  Don’t my complaints reflect my heart and where I’m at with the Lord.  By complaining I bring God down to a mediocre level.  I become demanding of what I think He should do or how I think things should be.  Complaining is like a wedge in my relationship with the Lord.  It keeps me from experiencing the fullness of His grace because my eyes are so busy looking at the negative.

It’s true I can’t convince anyone not to complain.  But if we truly love God and we are here to do His will, then shouldn’t we be more convicted about what our mouths are used to do.  Do we want to be known as a complaining people or as a people who love God and live to lift Him up.  The Bible is very clear about what our words should do.  In fact, let’s take a look at this in Ephesians…

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  (Ephesians 4:29)

This verse speaks loud and clear to my heart!  There is no room for complaining in my life.  There is no room for negativity.  Nothing negative should ever proceed from my mouth.  I am here to be a witness for the Kingdom.  I’m here to make an eternal difference for my King.  Anything contrary to that should not proceed from my mouth.  The only thing that should come out of my mouth is what is helpful in building others up.  I need to choose my words more carefully and only speak what will benefit those who listen.

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19)

Dear Father God, Please help me to choose my words wisely.  I do not ever want to be known as a complainer.  Please help me to recognize the places in my life that I’m complaining about and be a better steward of my tongue.  Lord, I pray that my tongue will only be used to bring you glory!