Word@Work James46 - James 5:9
Published: Thu, 04/16/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
GRUMBLING LIKE SNAKES IN THE GRASS
James 5:9 Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! (NIV)
Grumbling seems to be a natural habit; most people do it a bit, while some make it their trademark. But God sees it differently: in the wilderness 14,700 people died because they grumbled (read the fascinating story in Numbers 16:1-50). Their death was a warning to Israel, but Jesus also warns the disciples (cf John 6:43), Paul affirms the same warning to the church in 1 Cor 10:10; so does Peter (1 Pet 4:9), and Jude (Jude 16). The Bible tells us that grumbling is a bad business, which God will punish.
'Grumble' comes from an old Dutch word meaning 'to mutter'. Although four different Greek words are translated 'grumble' in the NIV, they convey similar ideas of low key, low volume, murmuring discontent directed against others. Those who are skilled in grumbling, ensure that they spread their discontent quietly so that their contribution does not stand out from the crowd. In the Numbers 16 story, the grumbling started with 3 main people, but in the end almost 15,000 had taken part. Grumbling has all the hallmarks of Satan's subtle, and apparently 'concerned' lies against God's character (cf Gen 3:1-5); but God was not fooled.
Alas, grumbling is a contagious disease. A few muttered words of discontent can soon spread like a forest fire (cf James 3:5-6). In the same way that sin crouches in the darkness waiting to strike, so muttered words lie in the back of people's minds until an opportunity comes to unseat an enemy. That is why we need God to speak to us about it, so that we can recognise our sin, repent and start a new mouth-style (and the same applies to VOIP, texts and emails). Especially, we must not mutter about fellow Christians, and if we hear it we should rebuke it. What we learn in the church will prepare us for life at work: however if we learn grumbling from other believers, we will do the same with our work colleagues. What a shameful way to deface the gospel of God's grace! So, if you are doing it, repent and stop. If you cannot stop, confess it to other believers and ask to be accountable to them, before you start a fire that you cannot stop.
Prayer: Holy Lord. Thank You for this warning that You hate grumbling, and will judge grumblers. I repent of my grumbling and ask you to help me to be aware of each time when I mutter discontentedly. May my speech, texts and emails all seek to honour those who You have made and for whom You died. May my work-time conversations be a pleasure to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Grumbling seems to be a natural habit; most people do it a bit, while some make it their trademark. But God sees it differently: in the wilderness 14,700 people died because they grumbled (read the fascinating story in Numbers 16:1-50). Their death was a warning to Israel, but Jesus also warns the disciples (cf John 6:43), Paul affirms the same warning to the church in 1 Cor 10:10; so does Peter (1 Pet 4:9), and Jude (Jude 16). The Bible tells us that grumbling is a bad business, which God will punish.
'Grumble' comes from an old Dutch word meaning 'to mutter'. Although four different Greek words are translated 'grumble' in the NIV, they convey similar ideas of low key, low volume, murmuring discontent directed against others. Those who are skilled in grumbling, ensure that they spread their discontent quietly so that their contribution does not stand out from the crowd. In the Numbers 16 story, the grumbling started with 3 main people, but in the end almost 15,000 had taken part. Grumbling has all the hallmarks of Satan's subtle, and apparently 'concerned' lies against God's character (cf Gen 3:1-5); but God was not fooled.
Alas, grumbling is a contagious disease. A few muttered words of discontent can soon spread like a forest fire (cf James 3:5-6). In the same way that sin crouches in the darkness waiting to strike, so muttered words lie in the back of people's minds until an opportunity comes to unseat an enemy. That is why we need God to speak to us about it, so that we can recognise our sin, repent and start a new mouth-style (and the same applies to VOIP, texts and emails). Especially, we must not mutter about fellow Christians, and if we hear it we should rebuke it. What we learn in the church will prepare us for life at work: however if we learn grumbling from other believers, we will do the same with our work colleagues. What a shameful way to deface the gospel of God's grace! So, if you are doing it, repent and stop. If you cannot stop, confess it to other believers and ask to be accountable to them, before you start a fire that you cannot stop.
Prayer: Holy Lord. Thank You for this warning that You hate grumbling, and will judge grumblers. I repent of my grumbling and ask you to help me to be aware of each time when I mutter discontentedly. May my speech, texts and emails all seek to honour those who You have made and for whom You died. May my work-time conversations be a pleasure to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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