Ever notice how quickly a simple morning can turn into a battlefield? You didn’t get enough sleep, your eggs taste like rubber, your commute is excruciating, and an interaction with your boss already put a bad taste in your mouth (and you know you’re not going to be able to let it go).
Complaining and arguing come so naturally. Even when life is going relatively well, you can’t help but stumble into frustration. You describe yourself as a realist, but deep down, you know you’re a pessimist.
What if your choice to leave behind your grumbles and disputes did more than put you in a “positive” mindset? What if it served as a witness to the world that Jesus is King?
Paul calls the Philippian church to be lights in a dark world (Philippians 2:14–15), but not by sharing the gospel or serving the poor. He says we shine as lights by doing things without grumbling or disputing.
How we show up in our work, school, marriages, friendships, chores, hobbies, and even church activities should be with gratefulness and in harmony. Instead of grumbling, we make an active choice to thank God for how far He has brought us. Instead of disputing, we entrust ourselves to where God is taking us and pursue unity with others.
Our gratefulness and harmony are a testament to God’s glory because grumbling and disputing are the twin sins of distrust in God. When we complain and argue, it feeds the lie that we’re lacking; it leads us to constant “wanting,” rather than trusting the Good Shepherd who is leading us (Psalm 23:1). And for the world around us, a mindset of lacking and wanting makes sense.
The world is not neutral. Paul calls it “crooked and twisted,” because a world without a Savior doesn’t know God’s goodness. The world doesn’t understand the fullness of life He promises. It rejects the idea that trials are a means for rejoicing and gladness. It doesn’t believe that there’s a heavenly Father who is working all things together for our good and for His glory. It doesn’t believe that Jesus is King with all authority.
When the world is without hope, why wouldn’t you complain and argue? How could you not feel like you’re always in need?
But we have tasted something greater. As followers of Jesus, we always have something to be grateful for (salvation) and hope for (eternity). And when we show up in our work, marriages, and friendships with this kind of heart, we shine like stars in a night sky.
Is complaint the first thing out of your mouth every day? Do you often find yourself in disagreements? Let’s be lights in the dark skies of the world and serve as proof that God is working new life in us.
Want to dive deeper? Check out our sermon series guide on the book of Philippians, or watch the most recent sermon from our Philippians sermon series.
