God calls us to “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,…” (Philippians 2:14-15). “All things”—not just when events go your way or life is easy. Even when you’re wronged, you can pursue the right in a way that expresses calm, humble reliance on God’s sovereign care.
We’ve seen this connection before: as salt and light, disciples of Jesus stand out and make an impact (Matthew 5:13-16); by loving one another, the church fellowship is distinguished from a harsh world (John 13:35); through the oneness of the distinctive body life of believers, the world sees evidence of the truth of the gospel of Christ (John 17:20-23). Followers of Jesus are different from non-believers, and for that reason we can make a difference in the world for the eternal good of people along our path.
Back to grumbling. From social media to cable news-talk to our own worst impulses, grumbling and fault-finding and moaning are all around us—it’s the air we breathe. Unless, of course, we’re given spiritual oxygen by God, enabling us to live contentedly. And that is precisely what the Bible says can and should happen.
By the power of God’s Spirit among us, and with encouragement from one another, a “grumble-free” demeanor can be ours. And when it is, our glad reverence for God will stand out like a brilliant, beautiful luminary here in this sin-darkened world.
To say it negatively: A life of murmuring and complaining driven by glass-half-empty pessimism dims our witness before a watching world, with the result that we blend right in with all the other contentious, restless, grumbling souls that walk this earth.
Where’s your heart? Has your grumbling reflex been reoriented to be still, to be at peace, in the Lord as the world looks on?
