Phil. 2:12-16; Gal. 5:7-15, Murmuring (2)

What are the consequences of trying to settle differences by murmuring and arguing?

·        Grumblers cannot be holy, Phil. 2:15a.  I hate to say that I know of churches that are known as complaining kinds of churches.  They are not blameless, a term that refers to a bad reputation.  We are to be holy as God is holy and we cannot be holy if we grumble.

·        Grumblers ruin the witness of the whole church, Phil. 2:15b-16a.  This is critical.  Churches that are known for their fights are churches that lose the ability to reach their communities for Christ.  We live in a world that is full of division (just listen to the news for 30 seconds).  We preach a Savior who can bring peace and reconciliation to the world, with God and with each other.  But if we are not living this out how can we ever convince those around us to join us in following Christ?  We cannot!  We are no longer holding fast the word of life.

·        Grumblers deprive themselves of reward, Phil. 2:16b.  Paul’s reward is tied to the reward the Philippians will receive when they stand before Christ.  As we have noted before, our calling is to bear fruit for Christ.  If we do not do that not only are we barren but we bring barrenness to those who ministered to us in bringing us to Christ.

·        Grumblers will be judged, James 5:9.  We will lose reward; and we will suffer the chastening of the Lord for murmuring and complaining.

·        Grumblers cause constant friction, 1 Tim. 6:3-5.  This is important.  Have you ever been in a relationship where there was constant friction?  If you have you know how difficult, how painful, how burdensome it is.

·        Grumblers destroy the body, Gal. 5:15; 1 Cor. 3:17.  Paul’s words are so strong: If you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.  Remember: if you, by your contentions, destroys God’s temple (the Body of Christ), you too will be destroyed.   This is one reason why contentious Christians need to be rejected (Titus 1:9-11).

Let us simply list, with Scripture on which to meditate, five causes or provocations to murmuring and arguing.

·        Prov. 15:18: a hot temper

·        Prov. 26:20: gossip

·        1 Cor. 3:3-5: worldliness (carnality; cf. James 3:14-18; James 1:20)

·        James 4:1: lust

·        Prov. 13:10; Gal. 5:26: PRIDE (cf. 1 Tim. 6:4; Mark 9:33-34; Prov. 17:19)

Let us not leave behind this page without Spirit-led self-examination.  Tomorrow we will seek to show from Scripture some encouragements to repentance and renewal in this area of our relationships.