The Bondage of a Complaining Spirit

Standing Firm in Difficult Times
Stand Firm Without Complaining 

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday February 24, 2019

This Week Reading:  Philippians 2:14-18  Additional Reading:  Numbers 21:4-9

Introduction

Complaining is a huge issue in the Bible. It is a sin that must be eliminated from the life of a follower of Jesus. Complaining leads to discontent, a negative self image, and a loss of effectiveness as a vessel God can use. The opposite of complaining - submission and contentment is a powerful demonstration of the power and reality of God. Satan uses complaining to distract us from God's purpose and to defeat us. Someone who has a habitual habit of complaining actually has a satanic stronghold in their lives that must be broken by the laying on of hands and prayer. At its root complaining reveals a lack of trust in God and submission to His will for our lives. Some of the key Biblical verses concerning complaining are: 1 Peter 4:9 and 1 Timothy 2:8. Apparently complaining and arguing were problems in the church at Philippi since Paul addresses and confronts the issue clearly in his letter to them. In the Old Testament the people of Israel were chronic complainers. Some of the instances are found in: Exodus 14:11; 15:24; 16:2; 17:3; and Numbers 11:1; 14:27; 20:3 and 21:5. Quite a pattern! God dealt with complaining very severely since it indicated a lack of trust in God. 
  

Background Information

Paul wrote the book of Philippians from a Roman jail cell. Despite being under horrible circumstance not one word of complaint appears in Paul's letter to the Philippians.  Paul refers to his life as being poured out as a sacrifice. This is reference to the practice in the ancient world of pouring out a cup of wine onto the ground as a sacrifice to God or a god (Genesis 35:14 and Leviticus 23:11). This practice also existed in the Greek and Roman culture. Paul is specifically referring to the pouring out of his blood as a martyr. Despite this Paul writes about joy. Why no complaining? Why joy? The answer is clear. Paul was completely surrendered to God's will and purposes. If suffering for Christ meant the advancement of God's kingdom Paul would not complain but rather count it a joy to suffer for Christ. To make this clear Paul connects not complaining with being the light in a dark world. The follower of Jesus is called to be light ( Ephesians 5:8; Matthew 5:14-16). Complaining detracts from a person being a light in the dark. Joy in difficult circumstances enhance the light and attracts people in a broken dark world to the light of life. 

  

An Outline 

I.  The Bondage of a Complaining Spirit -  Verse 14

The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you."

Complaining is a manifestation of a lack of trust in God and a lack of submission to Him

II. Replace Complaining with Purpose - Verses 15-16

You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8 

Don't complain instead be the light of your world as you wait for Jesus' return.

III. A Mindset of Victory - verses 17-18

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.   Daniel 12:3

Instead of complaining let God use your response to circumstance to impact others.

Digging Deeper Questions

1. In what situations are you most tempted to start complaining? What effects does a habit of complaining have upon people around the person who is complaining? What effect does it have on the person themselves?
2. Why does complaining reveal a lack of trust in God? Explain the connection.  Read the story in Numbers 21:4-9 and discuss it.
3. What does it mean to be the light of the world? Read and discuss verses 15-16 How would complaining diminish a person's light to the world?
4. Give some examples of difficult situations where you did not complain but put your trust in God? What was the outcome for you and those around you? 
5. In what ways is our generation 'warped and crooked'? How can you effect our world by not complaining? Give specific examples
6. What would your life be like if you, with God's help, eliminated complaining from your life?
7. What will you apply from these verses to your life?

This Week's Challenge 

Divide the group into men and women and spend time confessing to each other areas where you tend to complain. Pray for each other to be delivered from a complaining spirit.

Additional Resource:

Here are some links to articles on the topic of complaining
Complaining is a Spiritual Problem

The Spiritual Bondage Behind Grumbling and Why We Must Be Rid of It

How Complaining Halts Your Destiny