Sep 5, 2018
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure. Phil 2:14-15
Grumbling is a viral infection to relationships – get rid of it before it gets hold of you.
The Flu Pandemic of 1918 was one of the worst natural disasters in history. It infected over 500 million people, and killed 50-100 million of them. The spread of the virus was so rapid and widespread, that no preventive measures worked. In the end, it was discovered that the virus originated in a small military hospital camp in France, and what started as an isolated virus ended up ravaging the world.
Like flu is to the body, grumbling is a viral infection to relationships. One person with a grumbling spirit can break a marriage, a family, a company, even a church. The problem is that most of the time the grumbler comes off like they are “trying to help”. Grumbling is often covered with facts and data and opinions that even appear fair or accurate. But it’s not the information that’s the problem. It’s the spirit of the person. One person’s grumbling can infect people faster than the flu bug.
Worse yet, usually the grumbler doesn’t know they have a problem. Like a virus carrier, they have become so immune to the virus’s effects, that they cannot see how deadly their attitude really is. Confronting a grumbler is more difficult than just giving a dose of antibiotics, it takes ongoing treatment with grace and kind accountability.
Paul told the Philippian church to do EVERYTHING without grumbling or arguing. That means EVERYTHING! In fact, Paul says no matter what the problems are, you cannot be pure or blameless when you have a grumbling spirit. In fact, the ATTITUDE destroys the ACTIONS!
If you find yourself complaining about something all the time, or always seeing the problems that need fixing, or feeling like everyone needs to perform according to your method, then you are probably a grumbler. Confess that sin to God and to some close friends, and get the help you need to break the virus in your soul.
And if you are around grumblers (which all of us are at some point), then work hard at NOT being infected by the same virus. Find the positive in people, give the benefit of the doubt, have an attitude of love, believe in people that they can do more than you think, and trust that there are many ways to accomplish a task. Push aside the grumbling and arguing, and start looking for blameless and pure attitudes.
After all, the person your virus might infect next is someone you love!
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