Stop Whining

Philippians 2:14 says, “…Do all things without grumbling or disputing…”

The NKJV translates "grumbling" as "complaining," but that is a poor translation. "Grumbling" is much superior because it better captures the meaning of the Greek word. Paul isn’t referring to the vocal airing of complaints, but rather to the root of discontent in our hearts. In other words, some of us have enough self-control to keep our tongues from expressing what is in our hearts. But that isn’t enough. God doesn’t just care about our actions; He cares about our attitude. He calls us to thankfulness, gratitude, and contentment.

Grumbling reflects an attitude where someone only sees how they’ve been slighted or what they’re missing out on in life. Put that away. Also, put away disputing.

This isn’t about contending for the faith. There are battles we must fight. Christians must argue against and tear down the lies of the world.

Jude 1:3 says, “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all handed down to the saints.”

The word "contend" literally means to "struggle appropriately." We must engage in principled combat, wrestling and fighting for the faith, the truth of the Word of God. It is under constant attack from both outside and within. Failing to dispute with those who twist and attack God’s Word is to be unfaithful.

So what is Paul talking about?

Paul is talking about a fault-finding, nit-picking attitude—a tendency to bicker and quarrel. It’s about being contentious, inclined to petty fights, easily irritated or provoked. It’s the in-fighting over pointless or peripheral issues.

It’s okay to disagree; we don’t have to align on every preference, opinion, or doctrine.

But constant disputing wears people out. It drains the joy from friendships and fellowship. Learn when to back off. Develop discernment to know when you're contending for the faith or disputing over debatable matters.

The reason we must put these things away is that one of the best apologetics to a lost world is a joyful and united church. What is apologetics? It is a formal defense or justification of something, such as a theory or religious doctrine.

Joy is a Christian apologetic.

Listen to Paul: “…so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…”

The whole world grumbles. The whole world fights over trivial things. The whole world is discontent and chases after crooked and perverse things in an attempt to satisfy what only God can fulfill.

And here we are, as representatives of Christ, happy. Full of joy because of Jesus. That is a light that shines in a dark world. It draws attention to the word of life—the gospel—that we hold fast.

Christians have been freed from sin. We have the promise of help in this life and the hope of paradise forever. We should be joyful. Joy is integral to our testimony before the world.

Putting aside complaining and disputing demonstrates the reality of the gospel in our lives—that we are children of God.

As we find joy in Him, we are freed from a sour heart and shine a light on the glory of our God.