August 9, 2026
No Complaining Allowed!
Have you ever been around someone who complains, I mean, really complains? I'm not talking about someone who occasionally complains about something, but someone who seems to be the personal critic of life. Like it's their life goal to point out everything that is wrong, out of place, and to emphasize every negative thing in their life. It's like a job to them, some kind of calling, and because of that, they never see any good. Everything is almost, nearly, or never. If you have been around someone like this, you know how taxing it is, how much energy is spent just countering every complaint they make and trying to build a positive picture of life.
As Christians, we shouldn’t be a people who complain. After Paul had talked about working out our salvation with fear and trembling and allowing God to work in our lives, he tells the Philippian congregation that they are to do everything without grumbling or arguing (Phil. 2:14). The words Paul uses in the Greek mean to mutter a word of contention. It is bickering, always adding a doubtful thought. For example, when someone has finished a job, instead of complimenting and giving edifying instruction, a complainer zooms in on the small mistake and makes it bigger than the whole project. And the ironic thing is that those who generally fall into this sinful behavior are often armchair quarterbacks or backseat drivers. They are the ones who stand afar, observing the project, without contributing or helping out. They wait for the perfect opportunity to offer their “critical observation.”
I worry that the Christian community might be perceived this way, not because we complain, but because some Christians display this flaw as a defining trait. As a result, others may generalize and view the entire church through this lens. Since complaining is easily noticed by everyone, it leaves a lasting impression. When people observe it in a Christian, that seems to be how they always perceive that person, and they start to think the whole church is like that.
Yet notice what Paul tells us about how we should go out into the world, or what we should be known for. That is, we may be blameless and pure, and in doing so we can shine among other stars in the sky (Phil. 2:15). As Christians, we should be known for our pursuit of holiness, of our desire to be blameless, and our aim in life to be pure among this crooked generation. Because complaining is listed as contrary to these, it works against these traits. Instead of looking different from the world, we look just like the world, and instead of proving a light of hope, we dim that light and model the pattern of this crooked generation.
My friends, let us take the words of Paul to heart. If we complain about life, let us set that aside, repent of that behavior, and start seeking those qualities that are good and wholesome in the eyes of God.
- Christian Joyner
Past Articles
No Complaining Allowed! 8/9/2026
Yielding to God's Work 8/2/2026
The Exalted One 7/26/2026
The Right Mind To Have 7/19/2026
Always Wanting It Our Way 7/12/2026
Complete My Joy 7/5/2026
Boldness in Opposition 6/28/2026
Walking in a Worthy Manner 6/21/2026
Rejoicing in the Preaching of the Gospel 6/7/2026
Encouraging Boldness 5/31/2026
The Gospel In Unfavorable Circumstances 5/24/2026
Goodness From Knowledge 5/17/2026
God's Finished Work 5/10/2026
Our Identity 4/26/2026