The Bible has a lot to say about grumbling, complaining or ‘murmuring’. In 1 Cor 10:1-13, Paul looks at some examples from the Old Testament, most of which revolved around the Israelites complaining about Moses’ leadership, believing he had only led them out of Egypt to allow them to die in the desert (see Num 21:5, Num 16:1-4, Ps 78:17-64). The New Testament is equally explicit in warning of the dangers of this sin and urging us to be careful what we say (see Phil 2:14, Eph 4:29, 1 Pet 4:9, 1 Cor 10:10).
To understand the dangers of grumbling (which often seems to us relatively innocuous), we have to understand the heart behind it. So often, what lies behind grumbling is ingratitude, discontent and a failure to trust. It is because of these bitter roots that we must beware of grumbling, for the mouth simply speaks what is in the heart, and ingratitude, discontent and a lack of trust are roots which destroy faith.
How, then, do we avoid grumbling? We must tackle the roots ruthlessly:
Cultivate contentment
Instead of focussing on all that is wrong with our lives and the things we lack, we need to focus on the many blessings God pours out on us daily (Eph 1:3) and allow godliness with contentment to be our greatest gain (1 Tim 6:6). If we’re struggling to do this, we need to meditate on both the warning and promise of Heb 13:5: ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”’
Be thankful
As with so many aspects of the Christian life, we’re urged to do something long before we feel like doing it! 1 Thess 5:18 urges us to give thanks in all circumstances; Phil 4:4 urges us to ‘rejoice always.’ Thankfulness and gratitude soon dispel discontent and ingratitude. Gratitude is from the same root word as ‘grace’. People who’ve received grace know they don’t deserve God’s favour or blessings; they don’t, therefore, need to grumble because they know they have been blessed beyond belief!
Be unselfish
The Israelites are a prime example of selfishness and shortsightedness. Phil 2:3-4 urges us to consider other people before ourselves and to live lives of unselfishness that are modelled on Christ.
Speak positive words or shut up!
If we can’t find anything good to say, don’t say anything. Negative words are poison that go deep into our souls; they also taint other people. James 3:1-12 warns of the dangers of an untamed tongue; 1 Pet 2:1 says ‘rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.’ Bear in mind that we don’t know everything about other people’s situations and hearts and hold off the judgment that seems to come to us so easily. Look for the plank in your own eye before reaching for the speck in someone else’s. (Matt 7:4-5)
Allow faith to grow in your heart
The Israelites constantly doubted God’s goodness and purposes. They lived by sight, rather than by faith. Despite the miracles they saw, they still found it easier to live in the flesh than they did to walk by faith. We need to meditate on all we know of God’s character so that when the heartache hits like a hurricane, we can still trust in who God is (‘Even If’, Kutless), rather than believing Him to be a killjoy who aims to hurt us. The Israelites’ constant tendency to doubt and put God to the test reflected their lack of trust in His goodness and love; we need to feed on the word of God so that faith grows in our heart.
