The Sin of Complaining

I like to share a lesson from Ptr. Noel Espinosa in his series Christian Holiness: Our “Little” Sins- Complaining.

“You have not totally been victorious over complaint until you can reverse it to thankfulness.”

Noel Espinosa

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.

(Php 2:14-15)

Here are some notes from his lesson:

• Complaint is the expression of grievance over perceived adversity. Complaining will have its aggravation. Sinful complaining is expressing to others your grudge about God’s providence.
• Complaining (not sinful) to God is pouring out to God our honest thoughts addressing God of the difficulty that we are going through. It is a complaint that translates into a humble petition.
• Reflections when under grievance:
  • Withdraw complaint: Is my grievance the aftermath of my sin? Lam 3:39
  • Answer complaint: What doctrine applies to my personal grievance? Isa 29:4
  • Reverse complaint: How should I honor God amidst a complaining world? Phil 2:14
• Complaining is a serious offense against God who is sovereign and good to His people, including myself.
  • “I will mortify the thoughts of complaining; and will watch that they will not worsen into words and rebellion.”
• Remaining sin: There are so many valid grievances in my life that complaining is just to be expected. It is to be considered just a ‘little’ sin.
  • “I will complain just to give an outlet to my emotion, and that will probably ease my grievance.”
• RESOLUTION: FILL YOU MINDS WITH MATTERS TO THANK THE LORD FOR; AND EXPRESS THEM!
• Complaining comes to us naturally; thanking God does not. We must think about it!