Curbing Our Complaining

Understanding the Terms

“All” – Any or Every Thing

Understanding the Terms

“Complaining” – An emotional response of displeasure

about one’s circumstances or responsibilities

Understanding the Terms

“Disputing” – Arguing, quarreling criticizing &

debating

Understanding the Terms

Complaining leads to Disputing

(Phil 2:2; 4:2)

Complaining Denies that God is at work in us to do His

good pleasure

(Phil 2:12-13)

Complaining Disrupts the unity that God commands of

us

(Phil 1:27, 2:1-12)

Complaining Discredits us as we carry out our God-given

mission

(Phil 2:15-16a; Acts 16:16ff)

Complaining Discourages God’s workers in their work

(Phil 2:16-17)

Complaining Dissolves our mutual joy in Christ

(Phil 2:17-18)

Complaining Before Sinai• God used His power to possess &

protect Israel (Exo 5-14).– Lesson: We overlook that God uses His

power to demonstrate His love for us.

Complaining Before Sinai• About Food (Exo 16:2-3)– Lesson: We can make a life in sin sound

better than it truly is (cf. Eccl 7:10).

–God sent manna.

Complaining Before Sinai• About Water (Exo 17:1-3) – Lesson: We put God to the test as if He had

imperfections (cf. Ecc 3:14).

–God gave water from a rock.

Complaining After Sinai• Consumed By Fire (Num 11:1).

• Destroyed By Plague (Num 11:33).– Lesson: When we get what we ask for – we

will find that it does not satisfy.

Complaining After Sinai• Consumed By Earth/Fire (Num 16:1-40).

• Destroyed By Plague (Num 16:41-50).– Lesson: God takes our complaining as a

personal criticism of Him (1 Cor 10:10-11).

Curbing Complaining• Be Thankful To God First.

• Be More Positive Than Negative.

• Turn Complaints Into Solutions.

Curbing Complaining• Memorize: Phil 2:14-15 – Do all things

without complaining & disputing, 15 that you may become blameless & harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked & perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world

Psalm 95:11 Hebrews 3:7-4:10