Do you know people who complain a lot? What type of people are they? I bet they are not the sunniest, happy, most positive people you know. Some people have legitimate reasons to complain about their circumstances, but their lack of gratitude, faith, and joy attracts even more pain to them.
The Greek word “γογγυστής" (goggustés) means murmurer, sorehead, and pessimist. In other words, a complainer is unhappy with his life. We are so used to hearing people complain that most of us do not think twice about it when someone complains, but complaints bear fruits in the hearts of the people who pronounce them.
Some fruits of complaints, grumbles, or laments are ingratitude, fear, and bitterness of heart. Think about it. Who were the first ones who were unhappy with what God had given them? Adam and Eve were unhappy that they could not eat from the Tree of Life. Instead of being grateful for all God’s blessings, Eve focused on what she could not have and sinned.
Immediately after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, fear (lack of faith) entered their heart, and they hid from God. Their ingratitude and fear only took one generation to transform itself into bitterness. Cain’s bitterness of heart influenced him to kill his brother Abel, which brought more pain into Adam and Eve’s hearts.
Why do you think the Bible asks us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), have faith in God (Mark 11:22), and always rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16)? Because our mouths tend to speak what dwells in our hearts and we give life to what we speak. Unless we keep our hearts filled with gratitude, faith, and joy, we will complain about anything and everything. Unfortunately, that is part of our sinful nature.
Philippians 2:14-15 tells us, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” My family, if we complain, we are not shining and become just like those who do not know God.
Let us not bear the fruit of grumbles. A life of bitterness is not a life. It is a terrible existence. No matter how hard our trials might be, let us guard our hearts and fill them up with songs of praise (gratitude). Let us meditate on God’s word so we grow in faith and hang out more with the Holy Spirit to develop the fruit of joy. Remember, complaints produce bitter fruits.
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