COMPLAINING AND DISPUTING
Tuesday 28
“Do all things without complaining and disputing.” Philippians 2:14 (NKJV)
Read: Philippians 2:12–18
Complaining and disputing are not attributes of God, thus they are not attributes that should be found in a believer’s life. Apostle Paul was admonishing the Philippian believers to do all things without these negative attributes–complaining and disputing (Philippians 2:14).When you refrain yourself from complaining and disputing, you become blameless and harmless as a child of God.
In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, you see yourself shining as a light in the world (Philippians 2:15). Complaining and disputing are some of the traits exhibited by the Israelites in the wilderness. They gave Moses a lot of headaches, and they rebelled against God several times (1 Corinthians 10:5,6,10–12).
Gentleness or quietness is one of the fruits of the Spirit which every believer should grow or develop. Instead of complaining and disputing about what you are not pleased with, let what you are passing through be made known to the appropriate authority if need be. However, it should much more be made known to God in prayer.
Pray more instead of complaining. Instead of disputing or fighting for your right, talk to God the more about it. When you pray, God will move on your behalf and cause something to be done about what you are not pleased about.
God at times may direct your thoughts on what to do or steps to take for proper solutions. The outcome of living such a life is that you would be seen without fault–seen as a blameless and harmless
Many believers do not at all have such a testimony because they complain and murmur and quarrel or dispute on any discomfort wherever they are.
They always want to fight for their rights. Many so-called believers are like freedom fighters, they dispute and fight for whatever they want. Such is not an attribute of a believer, and it does not befit someone who claims to be of God.
God wants you to be a light wherever you find yourself, and the way to be a light in the midst of the darkness of this world, this crooked and perverse generation, is to exhibit godly attributes (Matthew 5:14–16).
Being a light means living according to the principles of the Bible. The world is full of darkness, and there are lots of dirty things in the world, but when you live differently, you see yourself stand out. People would begin to take notice of you; either where you live, work or schooling. People who come your way will begin to see a noticeable difference in you that could not be found in others who are of the world.
The disciples of Christ were called Christians in Antioch because of their character. When people watched them, they concluded that they were like Christ (Acts 11:26). If I may ask:
• Can people see you today and say you are like Christ?
• Is there any attribute of Christ Jesus in your life as a believer?
• Having a rapport with you for a couple of days, can the people who had the rapport with you conclude that you are a believer?
If people cannot see godly attributes in your life, it means you are not a true and genuine disciple; you are playing religion. You are a church person and not a kingdom person. One other thing mentioned in the proceeding verse is holding fast the Word of life (Philippians 2:16). When you hold the Word of life–the principles found in the Bible–the attributes of God being talked about will be evident in your life.
Apostle Paul would not want to run or labour in vain on the Philippians, likewise every leader in God’s vineyard. For your leader or pastor to rejoice and know that he has not laboured in vain; you should hold fast the word of life, the word of God.
To hold fast the word of God, the Bible, means to live by the principles of the Bible. You live in line with the Bible, that is, being a practicer of the principles in it (James 1:22-25).
A leader in God’s kingdom who is reading this: it is my prayer that you will not labour in vain. A believer who is a follower, reading this message: grace to hold fast to the Word of life which you have been taught is imparted to you in Jesus’ name.
Reflect:
• Are you a complainer or a person who disputes and fights for your rights in ways that are unbecoming of a believer?
• Can the people around you–at home, at work, or in church–see a noticeable difference in you?
PeacePeace
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