It seems Christians complain as much as unbelievers

For the past two years it seems all I have heard in media and from friends is about the downward spiral of the secular culture. All I hear when I get around my Christian friends is about the U.S. presidential candidates, the turmoil over transgender bathrooms and in the last few weeks the tragedy in Orlando. I agree there are many problems in the world today, but society has always, since the beginning of time, faced many problems. It is good to think through and process the implications of these societal problems. But as believers in Christ I am beginning to wonder if we differ in any significant way from our culturally conservative, but unbelieving neighbors? It seems we complain as much as the rest.

It’s easy to complain about how society is disintegrating around us. It’s easy for us old enough to recall the 1950's middle-class America and imagine that everything would be better “if only we could go back to the nation we once were.” But Christians are called to be salt and light. It seems many Christians have no problem “being the salt”, but have some difficulty “being the light”.  We complain, criticize and judge as much as the unbelievers and offer few suggestions.

Do we still believe God is all knowing and is not surprised by any of the wickedness in the world? Do we still believe God is sovereign over evil and yes even using it for our good and the glory of his name? Do we still trust God? Have we given up hope - if we have we have lost faith in God.

Christians should be praying for our leaders, our nation, our families and neighbors. We should be trying to make wise and informed decisions with the help of the Holy Spirit. We should be willing to serve and to sacrifice. We should not be judgmental, prejudice, know it all bigots.

We are commanded to rejoice, even though, for a little while, we are grieved by various trials. For we are not without hope. We have an imperishable, perfect, unfading inheritance waiting in heaven for us. (1 Peter 1:4–6). God’s promises to us should make us different than the unbelievers that surround us. There is light at the end of the darkness, but I am witnessing some Christians who know the most about God, loving and doing the least – why? We should be doers, endeavoring great acts of love for others regardless if they believe as we do or not.

Griping, grumbling, whining, murmuring or belly-aching regardless of the word we use to describe it always has the has the same symptoms. The dictionary defines it as “an expression of unhappiness, dissatisfaction, or discontent.” Complaining is the outward expression of discontent from within.

In the Old Testament God always considered complaining as an act of unbelief directed toward Him. When they complained about their circumstances, their type of food, and even at Moses, God was displeased because they weren’t thankful for what He had provided them. He was disappointed that they refused to trust in Him to provide, protect, and direct the order of their lives. “Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp” (Numbers 11:1). Do we think God views our complaining any differently? Regardless of whatever circumstances may cause discontent or dissatisfaction, complaining is always an expression of unbelief towards God.

Complaining is unbelief in God’s Word which says “...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). If we really believes that the Lord is in control of our life’s, and is working “ALL THINGS together for our good,” we will stop complaining and start thanking the Lord for the plan He is working together for us.

The Apostle Paul warned Christians to avoid the danger of complaining. “...nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer” (1 Cor. 10:10). In this Paul indicated that complaining actually gives place to the Devil in our lives and opens the door to destruction by Satan (the destroyer). The Devil thrives in an atmosphere of complaining. Complaining can literally invoke a curse of destruction as it did in the lives of the Israelite's who were destroyed in the wilderness.

Complaining is common-place in the lives of unbelievers who have no trust in God, but Christians should be people of faith, filled with gratefulness and thanksgiving. 

Complaining doesn’t change anything or make situations better. It amplifies frustration, spreads discontent and discord (which God hates - Proverb 6:16-19). Are we acting any different than unbelievers when we gripe and complain?

“What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.” ― Maya Angelou

Maybe we should begin to ask ourselves if morality is declining or changing. It is false to say that over the centuries Christianity has not adapted to a changing morality – do we still own slaves, are women still property of men, do women not wear jewelry and makeup, etc.? THINK!