Daily Devotionals

Under The Surface: Week 4 - Tuesday

Do everything without complaining and arguing. Philippians 2:14

Do you know those people in your life who always complain? I am talking about those people who find something negative for every situation. When you talk about how beautiful a day it is, these are the people who remind you how many days it has been since it rained. If you are like me, you have to be careful how much time you spend around them because, before you know it, their negativity and grumbling will begin to affect you. This is no way to live. The interesting thing about complaining is that it is much easier to recognize it in other people than it is to see it in ourselves. Because of this, we are going to pause today and take a good look at ourselves in the mirror to see if we have this tendency to complain. As we look at this tendency, we are going to see what Scripture has to say about complaining and the difference we can make in the world when we forsake complaining and choose gratitude instead.

Philippians 2:14 could not be any clearer. "Do everything without complaining and arguing." With these words, the apostle Paul meant exactly what he wrote. Followers of Christ are called to do everything without complaining or arguing. Now I do not know about you, but that feels like a big feat. I also know that I do not want to be like those people who I know who always have something to complain about. As Paul wrote the words, "do everything without complaining and arguing," the original readers of this book of the Bible would have been thinking the same thing. They would have been reminded that they do not want to be like people who are constantly complaining. You see, in the Old Testament, the Israelites are described as constantly complaining and arguing. You can read about this throughout the Old Testament, but one place in particular where you can read this is in Exodus 16. Because of the reputation of the Israelites in the Old Testament for complaining and arguing about practically everything, the original reader would have most certainly read this in Philippians 2:14 and thought, "I don't want to be like the complaining and arguing Israelites!" I must admit, as I read this verse, I am also thinking that same thing. I want a different legacy than that of a grumbler and complainer. I have a feeling that you do, too.

One certain way of dismantling complaining and arguing in our lives is to practice gratitude. It is really difficult to argue, grumble, and complain when we are full of gratitude for the good things in our lives. We are also much more willing to trust God because we remember the things He has done for us and are willing to trust Him in the future.

Moving Toward Action

Take time to also read Exodus 16:1-36 today. Be sure to read Philippians 2:12-18 in the Going Deeper section below as well. After reading these verses, make a commitment today to let go of complaining. Closely monitor your actions, attitude, and your words, and if you find yourself complaining, or even moving toward the direction of complaining, pause and re-direct your actions, attitude, and words. Instead of giving in to complaining, find something to be grateful for instead.

Going Deeper

Read Philippians 2:12-18 (NLT)

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

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. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.