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Attitude is a reflection of the spirit that dwells in us. If the spirit of Christ dwells in us, then a Christ-like attitude will prevail. On the other hand if the spirit that dwells in us is that carnal spirit which was spawned in fallen man by Satan, then an evil, self-gratifying, complaining, lustful, (etc.) attitude will prevail. Those who confess Christ (Romans 12:2) are commanded to put on his mind. We can tell how we're doing by examining our attitude. Now for today's subject.
GOD SAID to stop murmuring and complaining. In Phillipians, Chapter 2, Verse 14 it states:
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
And then in I Corinthians, Chapter 10, Verse 10 it states:
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
MAN SAID murmuring, complaining and griping are natural traits and actually deliver benefits. These things allow one to vent frustrations.
Now THE RECORD. It must be noted that God's word is entirely true and consequently is always perfect science. Each directive has inherent a blessing or a curse. Obey God's words and the results of your obedience will be "good fruit." Disobey and the results will be "bad fruit" -- and so it is with today's subject. This principle proves the veracity of God's holy word. Choose life and live.
Murmuring, complaining and griping is a national pastime. It is so common, so pervasive, that many aren't aware they are complaining. Men complain when it's hot. They complain when its cold. They complain when it rains and complain when it snows. Murmuring, complaining and griping is a result of the spirit that dwells within and God commands against it.
The Noah Webster definition of murmuring is, "one who murmurs; one who complains sullenly; a grumbler." God hates complaining spirits. The original group of Jews, who were delivered from Pharoah's bondage in Egypt, were not permitted to enter the promised land because of their continual murmuring. Psalms, Chapter 106, Verses 24-27:
24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
25 But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.
26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
Regardless of how much man has, he will always find reason to gripe and complain. As a citizen of the USA, I have witnessed murmuring, complaining and griping develop into an art form, and I have certainly witnessed it in myself.
One hundred and fifty years ago the world's greatest kings could have only dreamed of living as the poorest 10% of the U.S. population. Let's take a look: Under the hoods of our cars rest 200 horses ready to be commanded by a key and a foot. In only one day and on beautifully smooth highways we travel the distance it would have taken long ago kings two weeks and many bumps to accomplish. While comfortably traveling along we flip a switch and are serenaded by the world's greatest musicians, and not just any musicians but musicians of preference, from classical to country music. News and weather are delivered on the hour and we are kept abreast of global events by some of the world's greatest minds. The same thing takes place on the television and you know what?...it's free to the listener. While driving along, yet another flip of the switch gives heat and another cools to assure ultimate comfort. We eat the finest foods and pick our pleasure from the shelf or case and prepare it in minutes. We wear the finest clothing of silks, cottons and wools and live in finely furnished homes with electricity, running hot and cold water and heat, which we regulate with another flip of a switch. We receive the finest education, have access to the world's best health care and can travel around the world in the conveyance of our choice. We're protected by the world's greatest military and entertained by the finest athletes, yet there is complaining in the streets. The kings of old would have paid the proverbial "king's ransom" to have enjoyed the like. Unregenerated man will murmur, complain and gripe no matter how much he has, because of the unregenerated spirit that dwells in him.
Those of us who have put on the mind of Christ are commanded to give thanks in everything, regardless of what that everything is.
I Thessalonians, Chapter 5, Verse 18:
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
We are commanded to glory in tribulation because of the great benefits it yields. Romans, Chapter 5, verses 1-5:
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
We are directed to be joyful while being tried, again considering the valuable fruit it will yield. James, Chapter 1, Verses 2-4:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Even afflictions are to be approached with thankful hearts. Psalms, Chapter 119, Verses 71 & 75:
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me
Regardless of the circumstances, when we are walking faithfully before God, all things are working for our good; therefore, we are required to be thankful. Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 28:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Proverbs, Chapter 4, Verse 18 reads:
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Each day we travel "Route 7 North" obedience, toward the glorious light of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we get closer and become brighter, we reflect more and more of his likeness. Finally, at the onset of eternity we will see him face to face, and will be as he is, and will outshine the sun in the reflection of his glory. According to God's word then, the faithful are getting brighter and sharper every day and all things are working to their good. Consequently, the faithful can say with certainty that today is the best day of their lives and tomorrow will be even better. Armed with this revelation, murmuring, complaining and griping are discarded into the trash, where they belong.
A headline of a feature article on WebMD.com cited new findings from research conducted by Johns Hopkins University and it read, "Irritability, Griping, and Anger Hasten Heart Disease." The following paragraphs are from that article:
Although previous studies have pointed to a link between anger and heart disease later in life, researchers say it's the first time anger has been shown to affect the risk of heart problems before age 55. In fact, men who said they expressed or concealed their anger, became irritable, or engaged in gripe sessions were five times more likely to have an early heart attack than their calmer counterparts.
"In this study, hot tempers predicted disease long before traditional risk factors like diabetes and hypertension became apparent," says study author Patricia P. Chang, MD, a cardiology fellow at Johns Hopkins University, in a news release. Her study appears in today's issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Irritable, complaining, griping, angry individuals are 500% more likely to have an early heart attack. Be careful what you speak because you will eat the fruit from your lips. Proverbs, Chapter 18, Verse 20:
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Psalms, Chapter 144, Verses 11-15 says it so very well:
11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
GOD SAID to stop murmuring and complaining; it's bad for your health--and His perfect words declared it thousands of years before science knew why.
MAN SAID that murmuring, complaining and griping are natural traits and actually deliver benefits. These things allow one to vent frustrations.
Now you have THE RECORD.
Please note the following six subjects on this website that deal with this matter:
References:
King James Bible
Noah Webster, 1828, American Dictionary of the English Language
www.webmd.com, "Angry Young Men Put Hearts at Risk," by G. Vogin, MD, April 22, 2002.
