PUH-LEASE...have you heard the word “please” expressed like I have just written it? PUH-LEASE! Stop grumbling. Complaining, criticizing...malcontentment is chronic discontent -  these are signs of serious needs of surrender in the Christian life. That you feel you are in a position to express your supposed superior Christian enlightenment about others is a warning sign that you need to reevaluate something other than other people.

The Word of God has some serious things to say about murmuring. I’m not going to list them all but I urge you to just look up the scriptural references to murmuring. I like the New International translation of John 6:43. Jesus said, plainly, “Stop grumbling!”

Take every thought captive . . . Catch it before you say it, recognize it and apologize it. Don’t say hurtful things about people. It’s just wrong. It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks, what is coming out of your mouth is coming from the overflow of your heart.  That is why the scripture says, “do everything without complaining or arguing THAT you may be blameless and pure…” Malcontent Christians are seriously lacking a fruit of the Spirit called “self control”. Always discontent, always opposed to authority and what is established.  Grumbling and criticism hurts people. It’s a form of abuse.

Pastors are often the victim of grumbling and complaining, self-righteous congregants even to the loss of health and unnecessary stress. I tell you that the tongue is a tattle-tale on the heart. I will also tell you that I avoid these people as much as possible. I don’t want to be around you and I don’t want to hear your complaint.  It disturbs me greatly to hear or be around murmuring people. Sometimes I just want to say, Stop grumbling! Shut up and be thankful! 

I tell you godliness with contentment is great gain! Don’t we have a thousand things to be thankful for, a thousand reasons to praise God?

“When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?” John 6:61 Jesus knows when those close to Him murmur. How it must have hurt Him. Does this offend you. He asked. You know, when it comes to the Word of God, Jesus said, “It’s my way or the highway!”

He did not vary, He did not compromise or try to soft sell His message. He was about His Father’s business, He had an orderly plan and He carried it out. He didn’t chase down the rich young ruler and bargain with him. He set the “rules” and didn’t adjust them for others.  He let some go, he sent some away, He did not stop for everyone, He did not heal everyone. He taught us the value of order and discipline.

Jesus fed 5-15,000 miraculously...but it was with great organization and thanksgiving that He did it. He had them sit in companies of fifty, the food was blessed, distributed and then the leftovers gathered. When this was over Jesus retreated from the people AND from the disciples. . . churches would be wise to see that their pastor’s have this opportunity.

Grumbling Christians can suck the life out of a leader. After ministering to thousands and thousands of people and realizing my human limitations there’s always someone who will say, “well, can’t you do just one more!” Don’t you think Jesus  would? He didn’t, He retreated.  It is so unkind for us to be critical of others, so thoughtless and hurtful. It is judgmental and so un-like Jesus. Well meaning people will say “Oh I just want to be like Jesus.” Then, stop complaining, have some order in your life, be consistent, say things that lift people up … Be thankful!  Showing your displeasure with  someone never makes them care more for you.

Serving the Lord should be easy! It should not be burdensome and stressful. You see His way is easy, His burden is light. Jesus said it was...it is no yoke!

So, it must be that we complicate it. It must be that we are doing something wrong. Stress is defined as “mental, emotional, or physical strain often caused by anxiety or overwork. It can cause high blood pressure or depression...” May I add to that, that in my life it is generally caused by complaining, grumbling, criticizing people...in my association with many pastors it is the same thing.  One pastor said, “The greatest thing about ministry is people. The most miserable part of ministry is people.”

Be serious in your efforts to glorify the Lord Jesus. Look at the Word in Colossians 3:13

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God “.

Don’t get distracted. Keep your focus on Jesus and on things above. This battle is one of dependency, be careful to not get confident in the flesh.

Admitting you can't do it all by yourself is not weakness, it is strength. Do things with His help. The lie of demons is to tell you that you can do it without God. Yet, the Lord Jesus clearly says in John 15:5,  I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing

Remember the wiles of the devils. Stay aware of the sneaky traps and trickery. Act in your God-given authority, it will always be honored by the Father, who gave it to Jesus to give to you. Praise invites God’s presence and causes the enemy to run.

Praise Him because He deserves it, give thanks to God for His continuous goodness.

Psalm 103:6,  The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 

Be ready to receive what is given liberally by the Spirit of God. It is from the glory of Jesus Christ Who is at the right hand of His Father, who is also your Father. Remind the demons that you are an heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. You are! 

Receive what the Word of God describes as the fruit of His Spirit  . . . love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Never forget that Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.  John 20:21

When we cause people to be lifted in their spirits, we  please God. We magnify God when we speak with dignity and respect to others. I find it difficult to be in genuine praise to God and to be critical of others. 

This is “NO YOKE”! His yoke is easy, his burden is light. Check yourself when you feel the need to complain...I bet you can find a thousand things to be thankful for...when you find yourself seeing only the faults of others, look again, there is probably a great opportunity to lift them up.

I know this, while your are being kind to someone else you will find yourself lifted...they probably need it more than you do. John said, “ And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” (1 John 3:22) That’s a pretty good benefit for doing the things that please Him! Blessings as you love Him and lift others.

Just for Jesus,

Don