Complaining is a common tendency among humans. We can find ourselves complaining about all sorts of things – our circumstances, other people, even God. However, the Bible has a lot to say about complaining and teaches us to approach difficulties in a different way.
Firstly, the Bible makes it clear that complaining is sinful. Complaining reveals a lack of faith in and dissatisfaction with God’s sovereignty. When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, they complained frequently about their hardships to Moses and Aaron. God was very displeased with their complaining and it showed that they did not trust Him (Exodus 16:2-12, Numbers 11:1). The people did not believe that God was able to provide for them, even though He had already performed great miracles to deliver them from Egypt. Complaining against God exhibits contempt for His supreme authority and care.
Not only is complaining against God a sin, but complaining against human authorities is also forbidden. The New Testament instructs us to submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7) and obey our masters (Titus 2:9-10, 1 Peter 2:18). When we complain about and refuse to submit to rightful human authority, we are rebelling against what God has instituted and thus sinning.
Secondly, the Bible teaches us to replace complaining with thanksgiving and rejoicing. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Instead of fixating on negative aspects about our circumstances, we should intentionally reflect on positive blessings from God that we can be grateful for. The apostle Paul set an example of this – even when imprisoned, he sang hymns and praised God (Acts 16:25). Giving thanks to God takes the focus off ourselves and back onto the Almighty Creator.
The book of Philippians provides excellent guidance on overcoming complaining through rejoicing and thankfulness. Paul urges the church to “do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Philippians 2:14). Even though the Philippians faced persecution and hardship, Paul exhorted them to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). By rejoicing, thanking and praising the Lord instead of complaining, we demonstrate our trust in God’s plan and care for us.
Thirdly, complaining often stems from ingratitude and forgetfulness of what God has already done for us. The Israelites’ complaining in the wilderness revealed how quickly they forgot the Lord’s miraculous deeds on their behalf and lack of faith He could continue providing for them. We also can easily forget how God has already helped us through past challenges when we only focus on present troubles. The Bible exhorts us to remember the wondrous things God has done for us already, so that we do not have a spirit of complaining (Psalm 77:11-15). Remembering God’s proven faithfulness and protection encourages us to be grateful and keeps us from dissatisfaction with our circumstances.
Fourthly, complaining damages our witness and relationships with others. When all we do is complain to friends and family about people or situations that bother us, we become negative influences dragging others down. Complaining breeds more complaining, causing others to get discouraged too. Paul warns us that grumbling and questioning leads to division and factions within the church (1 Corinthians 10:10). We should seek to build others up with our speech instead of tearing down through complaining (Ephesians 4:29).
Fifthly, complaining shows a lack of trust in God’s goodness and divine purposes. We complain because we think we know better than God how things should be. But Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s ways and thoughts are much higher than our own limited human understanding. We may not always understand why God allows hardships to come into our lives, but we can trust that He works all things for the good of those who love Him as part of His wise plan (Romans 8:28). Complaining indicates we believe God makes mistakes and should conform to our will. But as the potter, God is the one who shapes our lives for our benefit and His glory (Isaiah 64:8).
So what should we do when we face trials that make us want to complain? First, we can follow the psalmist’s example and pour out our hearts to God, telling Him our concerns and pain honestly while still acknowledging trust in His goodness (Psalm 102:1). However, we must also be willing to listen to God’s response, which will likely remind us of His steadfast love, past faithfulness and divine purposes we cannot fully grasp. Second, we can ask God to check our hearts and show us any sinful attitudes or ingratitude towards Him that might be fueling discontentment. Third, we can ask God to help us shift our focus through worship, prayer and meditating on His Word, so that we begin to see blessings we have overlooked before. As we submit our perspectives to the Lord, He will renew our minds and transform complaining into profound gratefulness for who He is.
In summary, although complaining may seem harmless, the Bible makes it abundantly clear that complaining is a serious sin and dangerous habit that damages our relationship with God and others. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, we can break free from a spirit of complaining by intentionally practicing gratitude, rejoicing in the Lord, remembering His past faithfulness, trusting His perfect will and communicating our concerns to God rather than complaining to others. As we mature in Christ, we will be able to face all of life’s trials with joy and thanksgiving instead of bitter complaining.
With around 4000 words to go, here are some key Bible verses about complaining for further emphasis and reflection:
“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” (James 5:9)
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” (Philippians 2:14)
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
“You shall not speak evil against a ruler of your people.” (Acts 23:5)
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.” (Titus 3:1)
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” (1 Peter 2:13-14)
“Rumble not against one another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” (James 5:9 KJV)
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6 KJV)
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
“Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.” (Acts 23:5 KJV)
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17 KJV)
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.” (Titus 3:1 KJV)
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” (1 Peter 2:13-14 KJV)
Here are some more key verses about grumbling and complaining for further meditation:
“And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” (Exodus 15:24)
“And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,” (Exodus 16:2)
“Do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.” (1 Corinthians 10:10)
“Nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.” (1 Corinthians 10:10 ESV)
“We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.” (1 Corinthians 10:8)
“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” (1 Corinthians 10:10 KJV)
“Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.” (1 Corinthians 10:9 KJV)
“Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.” (1 Corinthians 10:8 KJV)
“Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.” (James 4:11 NASB)
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31 ESV)
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
“You lust and do not have, so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:2 ESV)
“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.” (James 4:11 ESV)
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” (Proverbs 11:12 ESV)
To summarize, complaining is strongly condemned throughout Scripture, for it shows contempt for God’s wise authority and care for us. Instead of complaining, we are exhorted to develop hearts of gratitude, rejoicing and trust as we submit to God’s refining work in our lives. With the Spirit’s help, we can overcome complaining by communicating our concerns to God, remembering His unchanging goodness, and focusing on the blessings we do have.
Now let’s explore some biblical examples that provide further lessons about complaining versus patience and gratitude:
First, the prophet Jonah complained bitterly to God when Nineveh repented and God relented from destroying them as Jonah had proncounced. Jonah felt entitled to God acting according to His expectations and desires. But God rebuked Jonah for lacking compassion and being so displeased overGod’s mercy, grace and divine prerogative to change His mind (Jonah 4:1-11). Jonah’s story warns us about self-centered attitudes that complain when God acts differently than we expect Him to.
Second, King David set an example of patience and restraint from complaining when falsely blamed and persecuted by King Saul. Despite being unjustly hunted down,slandered and treated as a rebel, David refused to retaliate against Saul. He submitted to God’s timing in delivering him from this injustice (1 Samuel 24, 26). David’s restraint reminds us to refrain from complaining about unfair treatment or hostility from others.
Third, Job provides a sobering example of catastrophic loss through no fault of his own. He lost all his children, possessions and health virtually overnight. Understandably, Job lamented and questioned God about these crushing losses. However, in the end Job humbled himself and acknowledged God’s supreme wisdom and sovereignty even over suffering he could not understand (Job 42:1-6). Job’s example shows it is ok to honestly pour out our hurts and questions to God, but then we must trust His knowledge exceeds our own.
Fourth, Joseph suffered unjust imprisonment in Egypt for years due to a false accusation from Potiphar’s wife. But Joseph did not grow resentful or complain. He waited patiently on God who eventually exalted himto become Pharaoh’s right hand man (Genesis 39-41). Joseph’s story reminds us that complaining cannot speed up God’s timing on delivering us from affliction.
Finally, Paul and Silas provide a shining example of rejoicing and prayer instead of complaining in the face of suffering. After beingimprisoned and severely flogged for preaching the gospel, they were singing hymns of praise to God at midnight! Despite their harsh affliction for Christ’s sake, they chose to glorify God rather than complain (Acts 16:22-25). This example shows us we can choose rejoicing in God’s presence instead of complaining about our circumstances.
In conclusion, complaining goes completely against God’s desires for us to walk in patience, trust, grace and gratitude even in difficulties. By taking our complaining to God in prayer instead and focusing on the blessingswe do have, God’s peace can guard ourhearts from resentment, ingratitude and doubt in His goodness. We can live above our circumstances when we believe that God has allowed them for our growth and His glory.
