One of the most frequent temptations for God’s people seems to be complaining. It has been this way for quite some time, and it continues to plague the people of God. We know from various New Testament passages that this isn’t something that a Christian should be involved in. Philippians 2:14-15 tells us that Christians shouldn’t complain because we’re supposed to shine as lights in the world, and complaining negates that. If you’ve been a follower of this blog for long, you know that this is something that I talk about quite a lot. But lately, as I’ve been studying through the Old Testament, I’ve uncovered some principles that have helped me in truly understand why I need to rid my heart of complaints. Maybe they’ll help you to.
As the title suggests, one of the most sobering things that comes to my mind as to why we shouldn’t complain is that God hears these complaints. And He doesn’t just hear, He disapproves. Big time.
Look at the following three passages from the book of Numbers:
Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp (11:1).
Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. So they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it (12:1-2).
“How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. (14:27).
It is awful enough that we complain and others hear it — that we complain and others are influenced in a negative way, and sometimes even turned off from Christ. But how much more severe and terrifying is it that the LORD hears the complaints we make. He hears the complaints, and recognizes them as being against Him.
When we look at our lot in life and complain, we are telling God He can’t take care of us. We are showing indications of a heart that doesn’t trust. Or a heart that isn’t grateful. We are telling God that while He has provided everything we could ever need — while He’s given us His very Son to die in our wretched place — we still aren’t satisfied. It is no wonder that God’s anger would be aroused at such a people.
As Christians, we have the entire inspired word of God to look to. We have the entire scheme of redemption unfolded before us. We have the most beautiful, non-burdensome law to live under. We have material blessings, not to mention every spiritual blessing. How could we ever be a people whose hearts are filled with complaints? May God help us to be more grateful, more intent on praising Him for all His goodness and mercy. And may God help each and every one of us to rid our hearts of complaints, because none of us want Him to hear our lips complain against Him. He is, after all, Almighty God. He is our Savior and Redeemer. He is our Creator. He is our everything. May we only have hearts that cry out in praise and glory to the ever-deserving One.
