Phil. 2:12-16; Rom. 12:17-21, Murmuring (3)

We hesitate using “lists” as a means of encouraging righteous lives.  It can be too much like the Law that points out our sin but can’t make us holy.  Eph. 4:20-24 teaches that the way to a righteous life for believers is to put off the old man (repentance), be renewed in your mind (think differently), and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.  In this list the first two involve repentance and renewal.  The next three are fruit of the Spirit that relate to the issue of murmuring and complaining.  The last two are wisdom from the Proverbs.

1)  REPENT (own your sin; reject, turn from your sin).  Phil. 2:3-4 gives us commands in terms of repenting of the things that cause and incite murmuring and complaining.  Here are some more thoughts.  Don’t complain as if you have been mistreated; we are as sinful as those with whom we do battle (Lam. 3:39).  Complaining is actually blaming God for failing to properly provide for us (Rom. 9:19-20).  Perhaps Jobs words will encourage you in repentance on this matter (Job. 42:3,6).  

2)  RENEWAL (your commitment to Christ).  Phil. 2:3-4 offers us a different way to think in approach differences in relationships.  I would encourage the memorization of and meditation on Habakkuk 3:17-18.  There is nothing in life that requires me to deny God by complaining about His work in my life.  Always there is reason to joy in the God of my salvation.

3)  Put on peace.  1 Th. 5:13; Rom. 12:18; Heb. 12:13.  Don’t give up on seeking to be a peacemaker, even if others do not quickly respond.

4)  Put on kindness. Rom. 12:20-21; 2 Tim. 2:24; Eph. 4:31-32; 1 Thess. 5:13,15.  This is a powerful tool.  It is fulfilling the command of Jesus to love your enemies.  Ask God’s help to meet a practical need in his life.

5)  Put on patience.  Prov. 15:18; Rom. 14:1.  Persevere in this matter.  Maybe the contentious relationship is your marriage or an essential work relationship.  God is at work; but remember He is working in your life as well as the life of the other person.  Do things according to God’s time.  Don’t give Him a deadline.

6)  Take advice/reproof.  Prov. 13:10.  Allow even your adversary to advise or reprove you.  Be a good listener.  In one of the conflicts at Philippi Paul asked one of the leaders to help the two sisters who were at odds (Phil. 4:2).  That help would only help if the two would be submissive.

7)  Stop a quarrel before it starts.  Prov. 17:14; 20:3.  It is so much easier to stop the quarrel early on than after the battle has become a war and many soldiers of Christ have been hurt.

Remember: God is working in you to will and to do His good pleasure.