Bible Verses About Complaining To Help Your Spiritual Growth

Ever wondered what the motivation behind the act of complaining is?

Why do we complain? 

What gives us the desire to complain? 

What right do we have to complain about things that happen in our lives?

The KJV dictionary defines complaining as the act of expressing grief, sorrow, finding fault; murmuring; lamenting; or accusing of an offense.

It also goes on to define a complainer as One who complains, or expresses grief; one who laments; one who finds fault; or a murmurer.

So beloved, even without going all spiritual about this- does this seem like someone who you would like to hang out with?

Someone who is always finding fault and has a sense of entitlement?

I don’t think anyone wants to be around that person.

But what if that person is you?

How can we help each other to not be that person who always finds faults with people and situations? 

Let’s discuss further how we can achieve that.

Bible verses about complaining 

Philippians 2:14 

The Bible is clear about God’s view on complaining in the life of Christians in this Bible verse about complaining.

It says to do ALL things, EVERYTHING without complaining, no matter the circumstances. 

When Paul says “All things”, he means, despite what is happening, try and not complain.

Complaining is a symptom of pride and entitlement.

Seeing and thinking of yourself to be better and more deserving than what will be given or done to you.

But the Bible says we are not to think highly of ourselves. Instead, we must humble ourselves and be meek. 

Even if we are being mistreated, it is God alone who will fight our battles and avenge our enemies.

So the next time you feel that you have been treated unfairly and that you deserve better, instead of complaining, remember that Jesus died for your sins when you were not deserving of mercy.

And because of that, you do not deserve the special treatment you think you are entitled to. 

But to also give of yourself to people the same way that he gave himself to you. 

And I assure you, those who humble themselves will certainly be exalted.

1 Peter 4:9 

Peter commands believers in this Bible verse about complaining to be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

In the early church, during persecution times believers supported each other both financially and socially.

Hospitality entails taking people in, be it at your house, feeding them, helping with warm clothes, and a roof over their heads if they are in need.

As disciples of Christ, it is our mandate to act always in a manner worthy of our calling, a manner worthy of Christ.

To show the heart of Jesus through our actions, through our conduct to everyone around us.

We must not complain when our relatives visit us in the fear that they are inconveniencing us and or disturbing our peace.

We must not feel interrupted when needy people require a warm shower or a warm meal. 

Jesus said that whatsoever we do to the least of those among us, we are doing it to him.

So to lead a Christlike lifestyle we must be open, loving, accommodating, and hospitable just like Jesus did.

Hebrews 13:5 

The writer of Hebrews in this Bible verse about complaining advises people on how to leave a potentially complaint-free life.

When one complains, it’s usually because they are not content with the service that they have received for example, and that they expected better.

So essentially complaining comes from dissatisfaction and or disappointment.

And we all know that unmet expectations result in disappointment.

But when we are content with what we have, with every situation that we are in, we risk the issue of being disappointed.

Then, as a result, we are less likely to complain.

As believers, we seriously must consider the art of contentedness. 

Philippians 4:11-12 

Like Paul said in Philippians, he has been through all situations, to lack and has plenty. 

But regardless of the circumstances, he learned to be content.

And by being content even in your times of lack, or wrong treatment and persecution. You will remain steadfast in gratitude and not complain.

Is complaining a sin?

This Bible verse about complaining clearly shows that complaining is a sin. 

Paul and James tell us the consequences of complaining and grumbling that leads to both destruction and judgment.

What else leads to judgment and destruction except for sin?

So using the references of the Israelites who were killed as a result of their grumbling warns us not to follow suit.

So as disciples we are not to complain, whether against others or to God.

We must absolutely cut that out of our lives.

Some people think that it is OK to complain as they will be expressing their dissatisfaction.

But there are more civil and moral ways to present your grievances that are not grumbling and complaining.

Bible stories about complaining

The bible provides us several cases of complaining from different people and the subsequent results of it. Let us take a look at a few Bible stories about complaining.

Complaining about bitter water at Marah 

In this Bible verse about complaining, the Israelites had traveled for 3 days without water before they reached the desert of Shur. 

There they came to the oasis of Marah and they found the water there to be too bitter to drink.

They then complained and turned to Moses and demanded to get clean water to drink. 

As a result, Moses cried out to God who instructed him to throw a piece of wood into the bitter oasis. 

And that made the water drinkable.

This story shows us that the Israelites were entitled and proud. 

They felt that God owed them for taking them out of Egypt instead of the other way round.

That the water was bitter and undrinkable is true, but the danger with complaining is not merely having an issue with something.

But more about how you present your issue.

Are you presenting it respectfully or rather in a selfish and entitled manner as these Israelites did?

Complaining at the wilderness of sin 

Another example of a bible story about complaining is when the Israelites needed food in the wilderness of Sin. 

They complained and wished that God had just killed them in Egypt.

Where they ate meat and bread and everything they wanted. But now they were starving in the wilderness.

Then again God heard their complaints and sent manna down from heaven for them to eat. 

They continued to complain again until God also sent them quail for them to eat. So they had bread-manna in the morning and quail meat to eat in the evening.

Again, it was understandable that they had no food and they would’ve asked God. 

Just like we do today when we lack, we ask God. 

We don’t demand that “God, you created me so you take care of me”, like a spoiled child.

This is the way the Israelites grumbled and whined in a selfish and entitled manner against both Moses and Aaron as well as God for delivering them.

Dangers of complaining in the bible 

What are the dangers of complaining in the bible? Does complaining have consequences? If so what are the dangers of complaining in the bible?

Results in disowning and destruction from God 

These Israelites complained at every chance they got as shown in this Bible verse about complaining. Instead of being grateful to God who had taken them out of slavery, they responded by grumbling.

It got too much that in many different instances they were destroyed for their endless whining and grumbling.

Today we still act the same way when things don’t work out the way that we want or expect. 

But we must not be like those Israelites. 

Sis, trust God at all times and rejoice always, giving thanks to God for he is good.

Complaining angers God

When you complain you display and express pride and selfishness and this angers God. 

We are hereby mercy, we are all sinners and for us to live is Christ. 

But when we go around complaining and grumbling then this angers God. 

We must try and always give thanks as this is an act of worship that pleases God. sis, you do not want to anger the creator of heaven and earth

Complaining results in judgment

James teaches us in this Bible verse about complaining, not to complain and grumble against each other otherwise we will be judged.

He goes on to teach us what we must do instead of complaining.

Instead of complaining, James says you must be steadfast and have endurance. Do not be easily offended.

He gives an example of Job and all that happened to him. 

But he never grumbled or cursed God. 

He was the one who was justified to complain because he surely didn’t deserve what was happening to him.

But he trusted and feared God even amid all his affliction.

He endured and in the end, God blessed him even more. 

So beloved, instead of complaining- be patient and trust God. 

And in the end, God will reward you for your longsuffering.

Breaking the spirit of complaining

The spirit of complaining has no place in our lives as disciples of Jesus. 

Complaining is from the devil, as we have seen that it is a sin. And all sin is from the devil. 

So as disciples of Jesus we must not live and serve the devil. Instead, in our pursuit of Christlikeness, we must do all that we can to remain pure. 

And we can achieve that by breaking the spirit of complaining. 

Here are a few ways that we can use to break that nasty spirit of complaining.

Turn complaints into praise

You can succeed in breaking the spirit of complaining if you turn complaints into praise and thanksgiving.

James says in this Bible verse about complaining that when you face whatever situation that is distasteful instead of complaining about it- COUNT IT ALL JOY!!

What does it mean to count it all joy?

It means that when you encounter a less favorable situation see it as a blessing. 

Let your first response be joyous instead of negative and gloomy.

When you are tested, instill in your mind that this is an opportunity for your endurance, longsuffering, and display of faith in God to grow.

And like James says, when your endurance does grow- you will become perfect and like Jesus. 

Which is our ultimate aim. So next time you are offended and feel like complaining.

Take a deep breath and thank God for yet another opportunity to show him how dedicated you are to Christlikeness.

Shame the devil by taking the high road- DO NOT complain but behave the way that reveals Jesus to the world.

Embracing positivity

Becoming a positive person is an effective way to break the spirit of complaining.

Complaining comes as a result of fault finding, expressing grievances, and general negativity.

But as Paul says to the Philippians that as Christians we must train our minds to think ONLY about good things, we will be less likely to complain.

Complaining is neither honorable nor is it commendable so DO NOT think about it.

Do not even entertain the thought thereof. 

As Jesus’ disciples, we must train our minds to dwell only on positive, praiseworthy, and pure things.

When our mind’s default settings are negative we find ourselves prone to complaining, all the time, at everything. 

Because we can’t help it, it’s how our mind is programmed.

But when you rewire your mind from negativity to positivity then praise, thanks, encouragement and kindness will become your default reaction to any situation.

A heart of gratitude

Gratitude is one sure way to breaking the spirit of complaining from the life of Christians.

When you give thanks in all circumstances, you become humble and acknowledge that you do not deserve anything that you have but it is only God.

This Bible verse about complaining say that every good gift comes from God, so knowing that whatever you have is a gift from God will make you grateful and humble and less likely to complain.

So sis, next time you feel shortchanged, or that you deserve better than the way that lady in the office treated you, be thankful.

And when you are thankful you will be succeeding in breaking the spirit of complaining.

Shift your focus from entitlement to gratitude that the fact that you are even alive is a gift and subsequently give all the glory to the giver of all that is good.

Taming your tongue

When you tame your tongue you actively go on a quest to ensure that nothing that is not fruitful will come out of your mouth.

Complaining is one of the sins of untamed tongues and it is indeed corrupt talk.

So when you actively and intentionally tame your tongue you already know that your mouth’s job is only to build and not destroy.

To speak life and not death. Knowing this you will be able to turn complaints into thanks and insults into blessings.

Paul says that the proceeds from your mouth should build up and give grace to the hearer. 

Does complaining give grace to the receiver? Does finding fault with someone build them up or does it tears them down?

Beloved let us allow the holy spirit to work in us to be vessels of his grace and mercy to those around us. 

Instead of aiding the tearing down of someone. 

So let us continue to work at taming our tongues until we are free from breaking the spirit of complaining.

Yield to the Holy Spirit

When we are transformed by the Holy Spirit, we are essentially renewed and changed from carnal worldly behaviors to spiritual, godly, and Christlike behavior.

The renewal process leads to a transformed mindset, lifestyle, and well-being that reveals Jesus to the world.

When we allow God to transform us from what the world thinks is okay.

Like complaining, for example, we stand out as the light of the world.

The world thinks that complaining brings results and as a result, it creates entitled, whiny and ungrateful who are always out to cause trouble.

But as disciples of Christ, we are called to be like Christ. 

To be renewed from what is the “norm” to being what shows the world the love of Jesus.

So we must always yield to the holy spirit and he will guide and lead us into breaking the spirit of complaining

Pray to God for deliverance

Since we have established that complaining is powered by the devil we may as well pray to God for deliverance from the spirit of complaining.

God can deliver us by breaking the spirit of complaining from our lives until we are free from sin.

We can try to do this on our own using all the methods shown above, but ultimately it is God who empowers us to do anything that is good and that glorifies His name.