No whining! (part 2)

Contrary to what we think, our problems are not unique--others not only have the same problems but often to a greater degree than we do. This fact alone should help us control our whining, but there is more. The Bible condemns whining in no uncertain terms.

The word whine may not occur in the Bible, but its equivalents do--complain, murmur, grudgingly. Do you remember how many times the Israelites were punished for murmuring? Off hand I seem to recall that the fiery serpents were sent after one of their bursts of murmuring (Num. 21:5-6). In chapter 16, in the incidents surrounding Korah, there are 3 separate mentions of murmuring. God's response on this occasion was to threaten to destroy Israel for their complaining. In fact, the reason all the adults who left Egypt died in the wilderness was this constant complaining and murmuring--would YOU have died in the wilderness too?

The New Testament even says murmuring is wrong, "Do all things without murmurings and disputes" (Phil. 2:14). "Neither murmur, as some of them murmured, and were destroyed." (1 Cor. 10:10). Murmuring is one of the obvious characteristics of a false teacher according to Jude 16.

Brethren, not only do we have no real reason to whine or murmur, but such is sinful and will be punished by God. Stop whining!

Tol Burk