Standing Firm in Difficult Times
Week 2 Study Guide
“Stand Firm Without Complaining”
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 practice of complaining actually has a satanic stronghold in their life 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; and 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 circumstances, 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 enhances the light and attracts people in a broken dark world to the light of life.
Outline
I. The Bondage of a Complaining Spirit — Philippians 2:14
The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you." Numbers 21:7
Complaining is a manifestation of a lack of trust in God and a lack of submission to Him.
II. Replace Complaining with Purpose — Philippians 2:15-16
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 — Philippians 2:17-18
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 circumstances 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 Philippians 2:15-16. 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 affect 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 Resources
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