Why Don't We Take the "Stop Grumbling" Command To Heart?

Paul wrote rather pointedly in Philippians 2:14-15:

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

Now that seems pretty clear to me. Why, then, do we ignore it so often? Complaining, grumbling, is a way of life for Americans especially, but for Christians too. It is our "social mechanism," my wife would say. Now I realize that most people think they grumble altruistically, pragmatically. "We just want to make things right." But that's not really it, is it? We don't want bosses or programs to change. We don't want pastors to be better preachers or shepherds. We don't want friends to be better friends. In truth, we're actually grieved when our grumbling leads to things being 'made right.' Why? Because we then can't grumble anymore. We like to complain. It is our (usually clandestine) way to feel sufficient. When we tear others down, we feel built up.

So why would Paul say to stop grumbling? Because it won't get us anywhere. Pouring worth into an idol (and in this case, ourselves) is an endless enterprise. Idols are sieves. They give nothing back. And that is dangerous because we have only so much blood. Paul knows that grumbling is wholly unhelpful, in all things. Three things:

1. In whatever situation we're in, no matter how dire or terrible, we must remember that grumbling will not help. In fact, it will pollute us and the people around us.

2. If you truly can't remain in a particular situation without grumbling, leave that situation. Know, however, that the issue is probably not your situation--every job and church has issues. The problem, most likely, is you (see point 3).

3. Our ability to keep from grumbling is not self-wrought. It must be based entirely on the Gospel. We will stop grumbling if we consistently recall that the problem with the world is not 'them' but us, and that Jesus died to pay our debt and we are now alive in him. What could we possibly have to grumble about if that is actually true? If your life is based on the Gospel, then you will truly "shine as lights in the world."