COMPOUNDING COMPLAINT. ROSS SMITH
ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTED
Jeremiah 12:1 UNCOMPROMISINGLY RIGHTEOUS and rigidly just are You, O Lord, WHEN I COMPLAIN AGAINST AND CONTEND WITH YOU. Yet let me plead and reason the case with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all they at ease and thriving who deal very treacherously and deceitfully?
Jeremiah 12:5 But the Lord rebukes Jeremiah’s IMPATIENCE, saying] If you have raced with men on foot and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? And if [you take to flight] in a land of peace where you feel secure, then what will you do [when you tread the tangled maze of jungle haunted by lions] in the swelling and flooding of the Jordan?
If we can only be tranquil when there is no pressure, what will become of us? Difficult times are for different purposes and occasions, and we will do well to recognise that to “COMPLAIN” is sin that incurs Father’s displeasure.
Job 36:21 Take heed, turn not to iniquity, for this [the INIQUITY OF COMPLAINING against God] YOU HAVE CHOSEN RATHER THAN [SUBMISSION IN] AFFLICTION.
Some of the reasons we encounter trying times are as follows, these are indicative factors but not necessarily comprehensive,
To shake us free of our misconceptions
To determine if we are trustworthy
To show a life of contrast to the norm.
To rid us of excess baggage
To test our stamina or ESP.
To procure our adaption (Eph 4:16)
To test our submission in affliction.
It can be a worthwhile exercise to see if we identify in any of these examples and develop the scriptural remedy, before it’s too late!!!
But we are still very vague as to the extent and magnitude of the term “COMPLAIN”. Jeremiah links “COMPLAIN” with “IMPATIENCE”, an interesting nuance to say the least, until we begin to explore the implications. This is why the Word says, “You have need of patience”, so I asked myself “WHY DO I NEED PATIENCE”? Hebrews came up with some very good reasons,
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, SO THAT you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] WHAT IS PROMISED.
Notice the very pragmatic aspects of “PATIENCE”, if we are to walk in the manner that Father requires, and enjoy the privileges of knowing His will for our lives, then we have to both “PERFORM AND ACCOMPLISH”, no longer just satisfied to give mental assent, but demonstrate by our engagement in Fathers purpose.
But more, then we will “RECEIVE, CARRY AND ENJOY” what is promised.
James 1:12 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, HE WILL RECEIVE [THE VICTOR’S] CROWN OF LIFE WHICH GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.
“PATIENCE” is, as we are aware, a part of “ESP”, Endurance, Steadfastness and PATIENCE, and so the scope broadens to introduce characteristics of rare display and incalculable value. Endurance and Steadfastness are very similar so why put them together?
“ENDURANCE” relates to things that are long term or of greater intensity, whilst “STEADFASTNESS” is the ability not to be prone to changing one’s mind to suit the purpose. It is also a remedy for double-mindedness, a malaise that is a provocateur for “COMPLAINT” because there is no reliable anchor for one’s belief or persuasion.
Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.
THE ABILITY TO DELAY GRATIFICATION IS ESSENTIAL TO SELF-CONTROL AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE ABILITY TO CONCENTRATE
Being able to delay satisfaction or to be “PATIENT” isn’t the easiest skill to acquire. It involves feelings of dissatisfaction, which is why it seems impossible for people who haven’t learned to control their impulses. Choosing to have something right now might feel good, but making the effort to have discipline and manage our impulses, or to be “PATIENT” can result in bigger or better rewards in the future, an understatement to say the least.
The sin of impatience reveals our desire to be in control by desiring others to conform to our expectations. If that is true, then the events in our lives are not necessarily the things that cause impatience, they are just the means by which the sin of control is manifested in our lives, and our tongue exposes us when we “COMPLAIN”.
“COMPLAINT” is the opposite to “PATIENCE”, it is critical, it is dissatisfied, it is self-centered, is mostly about things we cannot change, too often involves other people, and is indicative of a failure to learn.
I often observe learner drivers or P plate drivers, they are aggressive, they speed, they weave lanes, a clear demonstration of a lack of “PATIENCE”. Should we reflect on James 3:17, will find the demand for “PATIENCE”. The unfortunate aspect of the “Wisdom from Above” is that it removes any grounds for complaint.
WHERE THERE IS TRUE FAITH THERE IS ALWAYS CORRESPONDING CONDUCT
There is a great benefit in excising or eliminating the practice of “COMPLAINING” from our behaviour. Firstly, Philippians suggests that it is a similar fault as “grumbling and fault finding”, and who amongst us does not sometimes engage in such perverse practice. But if we can curb this trait, and eventually eliminate this trait then the evidence will be one of overwhelming success, not only will we be free of the iniquity of “COMPLAINT” but also the associated patterns and become “bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world”.
Philippians 2:14-15 Do ALL THINGS without grumbling and faultfinding and COMPLAINING [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves], That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,
“ALL THINGS” is a very inclusive statement, leaving no area available for complaints. If a Christian who refrains from complaining is “blameless and harmless,” then what does that say about the Christian who is complaining? It is unfitting for the children of God to be complaining. When we complain like those in the world, we lose our distinctiveness (our “light” goes out) and we blend in with the rest of the world.
Complaining isn’t a harmless sport, it’s a serious sin. Paul wrote, “And do not grumble, as some of them did — and were killed by the destroying angel”
1 Corinthians 10:10 Nor DISCONTENTEDLY COMPLAIN as some of them did–and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).
We as created beings have no prerogative for complaint, because when God made man He said it was “VERY GOOD”, but that “very good” has been lost amid the selfishness of man until we are now bold enough to challenge the sovereignty of God by our inability to accept that He has everything under control and our best interests at heart.
Romans 9:20-22 But who are you, a mere man, to criticize and contradict and answer back to God? Will what is formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus? Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same mass (lump) one vessel for beauty and distinction and honourable use, and another for menial or ignoble and dishonourable use? What if God, although fully intending to show [the awfulness of] His wrath and to make known His power and authority, HAS TOLERATED WITH MUCH PATIENCE the vessels (objects) of [His] anger which are ripe for destruction?
God did not call us to complain but to work (Ephesians 2:10). If we have the time and energy to complain, we have time and energy to do things that are constructive and productive – things that will bring glory unto God. Remember the old saying: “The person rowing the boat is too busy to rock it!”
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
Ross Smith 