Complaining

DEVOTION

PHILIPPIANS

COMPLAINING


Phil 2:14

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
NIV

Of course everything does not really apply to some things. After all certain areas in my life just don’t fix into my plans and the way I want it. And then there are those people who simple rub me the wrong way. Why shouldn’t I complain about them? Oh I forget, everything means everything. If this is true then what ever it is I put my effort to, I should be completely content about it. That would apply toward my daily tasks as well as my life itself, my position in society and in the body of Christ. All that I do is done with peace in my heart, in the attitude of being a servant to all, as Christ demonstrated. The problem arises if I think more of myself then I ought to. Thinking I know more, know better, and handle situations better then another, placing myself in the judges sit and passing judgment on another persons actions.

Now to this arguing I have to decent to the normal concept of this word, to argue gives the impression of having an argument with another, yet within the Greek lies a double meaning, one to have a debate externally, and also to have an internal discussion. When coupled with the idea of not complaining, which is indeed an internal attitude of the heart, this arguing within surely applies. To argue, or discuss with myself the values of Christ, or to doubt about what it is I am doing, is it the right thing, is this really what God has called me to? I am not trained in this area, I have no ability, and I really wanted to do something else, why would God have me here? These two words fly in the face of the word blessed. Consider the first Psalm, Blessed…to be happy, content, fulfilled, satisfied, complete, agreeable, and comfortable surely contrasts with complaining and arguing. Both conditions of the heart and mind of man, and as sure as they are, as a man thinks, so is he. So who am I?

Just a note to anyone who is reading this or any of my devotions: you are most welcome and in fact I encourage you to make comments, insights or whatever.