This week I have been convicted, saddened over my spirit of grumbling. I might not complain to others much but I can definitely do my fair sure of complaining to Adam about this and that and sometimes everything under the sun. It's sin. Grumbling and complaining and I cannot imagine how much my attitude must hurt the heart of God. I think about my own children for example, and when they complain it not only hurts my heart but makes me angry because I see the big picture; I see that I am doing every possible thing I can for them with their best interest at heart.
I decided to look up some scripture about the topic of grumbling and complaining and I found this passage in 1 Corinthians 10:
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us,on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
The Israelites were delivered from Egypt, from slavery. God's presence was in the midst of them. He gave them everything they needed. However God says He was NOT pleased with them and the scripture gives four examples. They were perpetual idolaters, they committed sexual sin, they tested Christ, and they were grumblers....
In the past, I would say, I don't do those things! Or, how could they do those things after seeing God part the red sea for crying out loud?! But, now I know better. My flesh regularly wants to return to idols; it wants to test Christ and grumble. Oh and if grumbling is in this list of why God was not pleased with the Israelites and therefore didn't let them enter the promise land, I think it is safe to say, God takes a grumbling and complaining spirit seriously.
One thought I had in my processing of my grumbly spirit was the verse "For out of the overflow or the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45) Again, I used to think this meant what I "took to heart" matters but now I realize heart is interchangeable with mind and therefore every single thing I look at, read, spend doing is mounting up as that abundance. If I spend way too much time watching tv and hanging out on Instgram my spirit shows that abundance. I am more prone to discontentment, judgement and a sharp tongue. If I choose to read, study, meditate on God's word and read spiritually encouraging books, If i choose to spend time with friends that are soul benefiting, my abundance is things of the Spirit and it shows in my attitude, heart, and words.
Oh my heart desperately wants to please Him, to choose through the power of His Spirit a heart solely focused on Him instead of a heart of idolatry. I want to be pure, pure in every way shape and form. Pure in heart so I can see God. (Matt 5) I want a heart whose first instinct is to trust instead of question God. desire to live a life of trust and faith in Christ no matter what today looks like, no matter if I am in the heart of the wilderness wandering around or entering my promise land. And oh how I want my complaining grumbly spirit gone. I want to live in the joy, thankfulness and grateful spirit that I know pleases the Lord and is contagious pointing people to the giver of all good things. (James 1) Help me Lord.
In the past, I would say, I don't do those things! Or, how could they do those things after seeing God part the red sea for crying out loud?! But, now I know better. My flesh regularly wants to return to idols; it wants to test Christ and grumble. Oh and if grumbling is in this list of why God was not pleased with the Israelites and therefore didn't let them enter the promise land, I think it is safe to say, God takes a grumbling and complaining spirit seriously.
One thought I had in my processing of my grumbly spirit was the verse "For out of the overflow or the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45) Again, I used to think this meant what I "took to heart" matters but now I realize heart is interchangeable with mind and therefore every single thing I look at, read, spend doing is mounting up as that abundance. If I spend way too much time watching tv and hanging out on Instgram my spirit shows that abundance. I am more prone to discontentment, judgement and a sharp tongue. If I choose to read, study, meditate on God's word and read spiritually encouraging books, If i choose to spend time with friends that are soul benefiting, my abundance is things of the Spirit and it shows in my attitude, heart, and words.
Oh my heart desperately wants to please Him, to choose through the power of His Spirit a heart solely focused on Him instead of a heart of idolatry. I want to be pure, pure in every way shape and form. Pure in heart so I can see God. (Matt 5) I want a heart whose first instinct is to trust instead of question God. desire to live a life of trust and faith in Christ no matter what today looks like, no matter if I am in the heart of the wilderness wandering around or entering my promise land. And oh how I want my complaining grumbly spirit gone. I want to live in the joy, thankfulness and grateful spirit that I know pleases the Lord and is contagious pointing people to the giver of all good things. (James 1) Help me Lord.
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