Weekly Newsletter
Pastor David’s Weekly Devotional
One of the most insidious sins, that is rarely considered, is the sin of grumbling. And yet grumbling is clearly and repeatedly prohibited in Scripture. To grumble is to complain or to be disgruntled. Grumblers are notoriously negative, critical, disappointed, discontented, and irritated. The New Testament word translated “grumble” is an onomatopoetic word that means to mutter or murmur. It can be referred to as a “whispered rebellion.” Whether it is audible or silent the sin of grumbling is toxic, and it can reveal a heart that is spiritually diseased.
Some Christians act as though grumbling is a virtue. They like to envision all their criticisms as wisdom, all their complaints as help, and all their irritations as piety. Some act as though they think that grumbling is a spiritual gift – a sign of being spiritually mature or even superiority. To be blunt, grumbling is not a “fruit of the Spirit” but a byproduct of the flesh (see Gal.5:19-23; Jd.16). In fact, it was a major reason why the Israelites were displeasing to God and experiencing the judgment of God (see Ex,16:7, 8; Matt.20:11; Jn.6:6:41-43; 1Cor.10:1-13). For the root of grumbling is being discontent with God’s blessings, and even doubting God’s character.
Furthermore, as with other sins, grumbling is contagious. It can spread to others causing them to grow discontent in the Lord or doubt the Lord’s goodness. It is a microscopic contaminate that can infect others, poisoning their hearts and minds with negativity, bitterness, and discontent.
C.S. Lewis, in his profound book The Screwtape Letters, provides us with some much-needed wisdom [note: this book is written from the perspective of a senior demon giving advice to a subordinate demon, so here the “Enemy” refers to God].
Unfortunately, many Christians today look less like Peter and Paul, and more like Statler and Waldorf (the “two old guys” on The Muppets who sat on the balcony always criticizing and rarely participating). Our consumer-driven culture has paved the way for many Christians to be hecklers and critics of churches rather than students and servants in church. Striving to be sacrificial and servant-minded certainly swims against the current of our more self-centered and self-serving society. But that is exactly what we are to do as we follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who “came not to be served but to serve” (Mk.10:45).
Together in and for Christ,
Pastor David
Scripture Readings for the Week (Monday – Sunday ~ Week #41):
Numbers 33-36; 2 Chronicles 16-20; Psalm 119; Proverbs 29-30; Micah; Acts 5-6; Hebrews 8-10
Recommended Reading:
“The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis
One of the most insidious sins, that is rarely considered, is the sin of grumbling. And yet grumbling is clearly and repeatedly prohibited in Scripture. To grumble is to complain or to be disgruntled. Grumblers are notoriously negative, critical, disappointed, discontented, and irritated. The New Testament word translated “grumble” is an onomatopoetic word that means to mutter or murmur. It can be referred to as a “whispered rebellion.” Whether it is audible or silent the sin of grumbling is toxic, and it can reveal a heart that is spiritually diseased.
Some Christians act as though grumbling is a virtue. They like to envision all their criticisms as wisdom, all their complaints as help, and all their irritations as piety. Some act as though they think that grumbling is a spiritual gift – a sign of being spiritually mature or even superiority. To be blunt, grumbling is not a “fruit of the Spirit” but a byproduct of the flesh (see Gal.5:19-23; Jd.16). In fact, it was a major reason why the Israelites were displeasing to God and experiencing the judgment of God (see Ex,16:7, 8; Matt.20:11; Jn.6:6:41-43; 1Cor.10:1-13). For the root of grumbling is being discontent with God’s blessings, and even doubting God’s character.
This is the main reason why we are commanded to not grumble:
Phil 2:14-15 ~ “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”
1 Cor 10:10 ~ “[We must not] grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.”
James 5:9 ~ “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” (see Jn.6:41, 43; 1Pet.4:9)
Furthermore, as with other sins, grumbling is contagious. It can spread to others causing them to grow discontent in the Lord or doubt the Lord’s goodness. It is a microscopic contaminate that can infect others, poisoning their hearts and minds with negativity, bitterness, and discontent.
C.S. Lewis, in his profound book The Screwtape Letters, provides us with some much-needed wisdom [note: this book is written from the perspective of a senior demon giving advice to a subordinate demon, so here the “Enemy” refers to God].
“Surely you know that if a man can't be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighborhood looking for the church that ‘suits’ him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches. . . . [T]he search for a ‘suitable’ church makes the man a critic where the Enemy wants him to be a pupil.”
Unfortunately, many Christians today look less like Peter and Paul, and more like Statler and Waldorf (the “two old guys” on The Muppets who sat on the balcony always criticizing and rarely participating). Our consumer-driven culture has paved the way for many Christians to be hecklers and critics of churches rather than students and servants in church. Striving to be sacrificial and servant-minded certainly swims against the current of our more self-centered and self-serving society. But that is exactly what we are to do as we follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who “came not to be served but to serve” (Mk.10:45).
Together in and for Christ,
Pastor David
Scripture Readings for the Week (Monday – Sunday ~ Week #41):
Numbers 33-36; 2 Chronicles 16-20; Psalm 119; Proverbs 29-30; Micah; Acts 5-6; Hebrews 8-10
Recommended Reading:
“The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis
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2 Comments
Thank you Pastor David for your encouragement.
Good correction that strikes me close to home.