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Murmurings and Disputings
September 27, 2015
Many who profess Christianity do not pay attention to the teachings of God regarding complaining, being dissatisfied, and being contentious. They love to debate, argue and stir up strife when it comes to religious doctrine and practices. They also love to moan, groan and complain about their situation in life. None of this is godly. - Bernie Parsons
Murmurings and Disputings
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 09-27-2015
Presented to Load church of
Christ on 10-04-2015
Both Old and New Testament scriptures condemn certain attitudes,
including murmuring and disputing, quarreling and brawling. These are
not spiritual characteristics, but are fleshly.
Philippians 2:14 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without
rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye
shine as lights in the world."
1 Corinthians 10:10 "Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured,
and were destroyed of the destroyer."
Those who complain and quarrel about things are not pleasing God. That
attitude shows a lack of gratitude for what God does for us. God rejects
and punishes those who murmur and complain.
Romans 14:1 “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to
doubtful disputations.”
2 Timothy 2:23 "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that
they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all
men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the
truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,
who are taken captive by him at his will."
Unnecessary disagreements are destructive, not instructive. Many things
are of no concern to God and ought not be among our discussions and
consideration.
2 Corinthians 12:20 "For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you
such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would
not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings,
whisperings, swellings, tumults:"
1 Corinthians 1:19 "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the
wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this
world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God,
it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe."
Some people are fond of strife. They are not content unless they are at
the center of a storm of chaos and confusion. These people are described
as contentious.
1 Timothy 6:3 "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome
words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine
which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes
of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the
truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."
Contentious people are not spiritual people, and actually are engaging
in evil. They pit one person or group against another, creating division
and factions.
Proverbs 26:20 "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where
there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious
man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the
innermost parts of the belly."
Those who create strife and factions often do so in order to create a
personal following. Rather than following Christ, they wish for
themselves a personal fan club.
Jude 1:14 “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these,
saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly
among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed,
and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against
him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and
their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in
admiration because of advantage.”
Ephesians 5:6 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of
these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk
as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and
truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord."
The contentious exhibit a spirit of discontentment and ingratitude. They
are fighters, not peacemakers.
Romans 2:4 "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself
wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment
of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and
honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but
obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of
the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;"
1 Corinthians 11:16 "But if any man seem to be contentious, we
have no such custom, neither the churches of God."
Foolish questions and arguments are a waste of time and energy, and keep
us from doing what the Lord has asked us to do. What is worse, they can
cause the downfall of the congregation
Titus 3:8 "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will
that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might
be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable
unto men.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.".
2 Timothy 2:14 "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them
before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to
the subverting of the hearers."
That is why we are told to be content.
Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee.
