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Do Everything without Complaining or Arguing
Read: Philippians 2:12-18
How often do you find yourself complaining or arguing? It’s so easy to complain about work, traffic, other drivers, how long you had to wait in line, church issues, personal responsibilities, or to argue with someone about the correct way to do things or who’s right. It happens significantly more often than we’d like to admit. However, in Philippians we’re commanded to do everything without complaining or arguing. While this may seem like a daunting, even impossible task, it’s possible with God’s strength. Begin by changing your attitude and turn your complaining into thankfulness. Thank God for the ways He’s blessed you. For instance, instead of complaining about the traffic, thank God for providing you with a means of transportation, and instead of complaining about work, thank God for providing you with a job and for blessing you with your skills and abilities.
Complaining comes from a word that describes a bad attitude and results in constant grumbling. The word arguing has legal connotations and may have referred to the Philippians going to court to settle their disputes. Both are harmful to the person and to everyone around them. It is the opposite of the attitude Christ calls us to have and detracts from our witness to the world.
As Christians, people are constantly watching to see if we’re different. Even when we’re not aware, people are taking note of how we act and relate with others. The best witness we can have is to prove to them that we’re different. Leave them wondering what makes you different and what empowers you to live the way you do. When we complain or argue, it tarnishes our Christian witness. It takes our focus off glorifying God and places it on ourselves. It brings disunity to the church and tarnishes our witness to the world. It is when we are unified that the world sees Christ clearly through us.
The reason Paul gives for not complaining or arguing is so we may become “blameless and pure children of God without fault” and that we may “shine like stars in the universe”. To be blameless and pure doesn’t require sinless perfection, but sincere, wholehearted dedication to doing God’s will and living in a way that you are beyond reproach, not becoming a stumbling block to others. In our crooked and depraved generation, Christians living for God shine like stars because of the stark contrast with the world. People will notice that you’re different. Live to be a breath of fresh air to those around you. Jesus said to the believers, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:14, 16). As our light shines, it’s evidence of a transformed life. But we are not to keep the light hidden or to ourselves. We are to hold the light out to those around us, giving God the glory, so that they too may know the transforming power of Christ in their lives.
Reflect: Read Philippians 2:12-18 again and reflect on the following questions:
- How often do you find yourself complaining or arguing? Where is it stemming from? How do you think it’s affecting your Christian witness?
- In what ways do you need to ask God to change your attitude and give you a fresh perspective?
- How are you shinning for God in this crooked and depraved generation?
Remember: Weekly memory verses
“Do everything without complaining or arguing.” (Phil 2:14, NIV)
Going further: This week, as soon as you begin to complain or argue, stop and pray that God would fill you with patience and peace. Ask Him to give you the strength you need to turn your attitude from a spirit of complaining and arguing into a spirit of service and thankfulness in order that you may shine brightly for Him.
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