DON’T COMPLAIN

(1 Corinthians 10:10)

by Kevin Rutherford

Americans can find more to complain about than anybody else. We demand everything go our way and when it doesn’t we sure do fuss. While sometimes it is necessary to stand up for oneself, many Americans go over board. We have a reputation for being pushy, loud mouthed, selfish, arrogant, complainers. Of course, some of the citizens of the United States of America are not like this, but for others the reputation is well deserved.

When this selfish, whining, murmuring, complaining attitude invades the Lord’s church we really have problems. When members complain to the elders because the preacher stepped on their toes there is a spiritual problem. When Christians complain because they don’t have all the luxuries of life they desire there is a spiritual problem. When Christians gossip and complain about one another there is a spiritual problem. When Christians act like spoiled, selfish children who must have things their way they are going to hurt themselves and the church. Of course, the most dangerous complaining of all occurs when Christians don’t like what God said about a certain thing, and begin to complain about the Bible or those who teach it to them.

In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Paul talks about the children of Israel in the wilderness. He says God was not pleased with them and gives a number of reasons why. One of the reasons listed is their murmuring (1 Corinthians 10:10). God grew tired of their complaining and He punished them (Numbers 14:27). Paul then tells us these things happened so that we can learn from them. The Jews displeased God by their complaining, so we need to make sure we do not become complainers (1 Corinthians 10:11). Those of us who think we are strong Christians and yet want to complain all the time need to pay close attention to verse twelve of the context. Paul said, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Paul goes on to say that no temptation will come our way that we cannot bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). That being true, stop complaining

Another condemnation against those who murmur and complain is found in Jude chapter one and verse sixteen. Jude is speaking of those false teachers who had secretly crept into the Lord’s church, who were causing problems during the love feasts, and who were pulling people astray. Concerning them he says, “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts.” We have many in the Lord’s church today who are complaining about God’s Will. They don’t want to do things God’s Way. They complain about the worship which is according to God’s pattern. They call it “traditional” and “boring.” They say we need a “more vibrant, contemporary style of praise worship.” They are false teachers, complaining about God’s Will and leading souls to hell! Watch out for those who complain about God’s Will. Don’t let them pull you into their negative, sarcastic, bitter rebellion. Satan has them and will use them against you.