Christians: How well do you think that you do in obeying this command from the Bible?
Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Do you keep your complaints between you and God, or you and other trusted Christians, or do you complain and argue in front of people who know you are a Christian but they themselves are unbelievers?
I do it. I do it because of ANOTHER command in Phil. and since I work to do THAT one, I do this one. The one I follow is 'Think on what is good'. Over the years I've done this more and more. When I run into difficulties, I try to bring those into the light. If that does not work, I must move on, let it go. If I am wrong, I must work to see this, and I continue in my own life to repent of things. For me, it is not a one time thing, but a lifestyle.
What causes complaints & then on towards disputes also work to keep me in line, bring me 'down a notch' where I might get too big, and then really fall...hard.
Thus the things that cause the complaints & disputes are what keeps my soil from hardening up. My spouse had a very hard background and needs all the kindness and removal of stress possible. It is something I can give. When I have a problem, I try to get it into a problem format, rather than a complaint. It's 'do you have insight into this' and then this interests my spouse.
Honestly, I have not done well at all regarding this commandment. I admit that I used to think that voicing my own opinions to others would 'help' somehow. How wrong I was about that! However, I have improved recently about keeping my complaints between myself and God. It's a 'work in progress'. I believe that being judgemental in any way is one of the most difficult things to overcome as a Christian. We seem to think that we "know" better, especially toward unbelievers, which is completely untrue.
I don't make it an argument but may mention a problem to a close friend who may pray for me, and they are free to tell me what they need prayer for. You are right that we should not complain but be thankful. In fact, I've been quoting those thanking verses lately such as Phil. 4:6-7, Eph. 5:19-20, I Thess. 5:18, etc.
Good News Translation (GNT) Philippians 4:6-7 6 Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.7 And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:19-20 19 Speak to one another with the words of psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts.20 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.
If I complain in here, I make others angry so I try to be positive. I don't want to be a bad witness either. And I have complained a lot in the past.
Martin, In all honesty I do complain quite a bit about the way I feel physically to my husband but that is usually the only area. Never complain openly especially before unbelievers it only serves to ruin your Christian testimony. We should always be displaying love and joy so they might desire what we have.
I learned awhile back that God is control. I always remember the story of Joseph and his brothers. His brothers meant him harm but God meant it for good. I try real hard to view "bad" circumstances from God's point of view and look for the silver lining. Because we know all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).