Numbers 11:1-3

“Complaining is poisoned speech.”

Complaining has no place in the life of the Christian. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer” (1 Cor 10:10). “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Phil 2:14).

Numbers 11:1-3

God blesses and blesses. In context, God had provided “big” blessings for the Israelites. God gives us so very much. “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:45). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (Js 1:17).

Numbers 11:1-3

God will forgive when people come back to Him. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Is 55:7).

I wish the Israelites had learned their lesson. “Who shall give us flesh to eat?” (v 4). The people complained when the spies brought back their report (Num 14:1-5). Over and over and over, we find the people complaining.

“Complaining is poisoned speech.”

How do we stop complaining?

Sometimes we complain about things we cannot control. You can’t change someone else’s behavior, but you can change how you respond. “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee” (Prov 25:21-22). “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21).

We can remember the multitude of blessings God gives: We need to remember that God is ultimately in control: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Rev 19:6). We can pray to Him: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Pet 5:7). We can remember the multitude of blessings God gives: God “left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Cor 16:2).

Make a list of the blessings God has given you. Put it in a place where you can see it and be reminded of God’s great blessings.

Sometimes we complain because our behavior needs to be changed. Examine your life to see what needs to be changed and work at changing it! “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Cor 13:5).

We absolutely must get rid of complaining. “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (Js 5:9, NKJV). “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage” (Jude 16).

Will God execute judgment on your because you are a complainer?