COMPLAINING AND ARGUING

Philippians 2:14-16 says, "Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless." Since all believers of our Lord Jesus Christ are children of God, we do not have to live in selfishness and pride, for they breed complaining and arguing. When the believers complain and argue against each other, it opens the door for criticism from the world. Paul was encouraging the Philippian believers to live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people, and hold firmly to the word of life. For when the day of Jesus Christ returns, Paul would be proud or rejoicing that his sacrificial work in the lives of the Philippians believers did not fail. 

The way we live our lives in this world, full of crooked and perverse people, is important to God. God wants us to live righteously so that our good actions will become proof and a testimony that God is real in our lives. Complaining and arguing because of selfishness and pride are sinful, and we must avoid them. Instead, we must live in humility before God and others. We need to shine our good behavior in this world so that we can influence the world around us with godliness. Let us not allow the world to influence us with its sinful attitudes. When God gives us the desire to do good, we must follow through with it, and if we are struggling to do what God wants us to do, then we need to ask God to give us the strength and the power to do it. Let us always examine our attitudes. When we are about to complain or argue with someone, we need to pause and examine our attitudes before God, and follow through on what God wants us to do in the situation.

Complaining and arguing when our expectations are not met is sinful to God. Instead, we must not be selfish but be humble. Don't look out for our own interests, but take an interest in others, too. We must have the same attitude that Jesus had (Philippians 2:3-5). 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What is the reason for my complaining and arguing with others? What should I do before I complain and argue with someone? How should I live accordingly in this world full of crooked and perverse people? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, as your child, please help me to live according to your will. Please help me to be willing to do what you put in my heart and rely on your power to do them. Please help me not to give in to selfishness and pride that lead me to complaining and arguing with others. Please help me stay humble and not only think of my own interests, but the interests of others, too. Please help me overcome complaining and arguing today. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.