Introduction

Perhaps the most prevalent sin of the Christian today is that of complaining. It is in our nature. How many things have we murmured or complained about today and we were not even conscious of it? In our heart we have strategically placed complaining as one of the smaller sins or perhaps not even sin at all. God, however, has a different outlook on the matter and we would do well to adopt God’s viewpoint versus our own. God tells us in His word “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content”, and in another place He says “and be ye thankful”. Complaining is not so. As such we ought to learn what the scriptures say about complaining and take heed to its warnings.

1. Complaining Unveils the Heart
1. The Offended heart complains (John 6:56-61 [56] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. [58] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. [59] These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. [60] Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? [61] When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
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2. The Lustful heart complains (Jude 1:16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
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2. Complaining Hinders Education (Isaiah 29:24They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
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1. God sends us through trials that we may learn
2. Murmuring and complaining negates the lesson
3. Complaining Troubles the Soul (Psalm 77:3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
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1. Complaining adds to the burden of the soul
2. Christ wants us to cast our burdens on Him
4. Complaining Breeds Lies
1. Israelites said Moses killed the people of the Lord (Numbers 16:41But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
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1. The earth opened up and swallowed Korah’s people (Numbers 16:30-33 [30] But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. [31] And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: [32] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. [33] They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
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2. Then fire came out from the Lord and consumed 250 men that burned incense (Numbers 16:34-35 [34] And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. [35] And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
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2. Israelites said that God hated them (Deuteronomy 1:27And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
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1. They said God hated them
2. They said that He brought them out to deliver them into the hand of the Amorites
5. Complaining Displeases the Lord (Numbers 11:1And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
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1. God Plans Events in our Life
2. Complaining is a Direct Attack on God

Conclusion

We need to be reminded not on a weekly basis or even a daily basis but on a moment-by-moment basis, that when we complain it displeases the Lord. It is not spiritual; rather it is of the flesh and shows the filth of our own selfish heart. This is not something that a believer will be victorious over tonight. You will fight it tonight, tomorrow and for the rest of your life, but one thing that is for sure is that the battle is worth fighting.