Grumbling complainers ∙
Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.
– Proverbs 27:20
1 Corinthians 10:6-13
6 These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did,
7 or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.”
9 Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites.
10 And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.
12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
In 1976 the American movie, “Network” showed in movie theaters across the United States. “Network” received widespread critical acclaim. It was a commercial success and won four Academy Awards.
The decade of the 1970s was marked by significant challenges: frustration, depression, soaring inflation, and the Oil Crisis of 1973.
“Network” vividly portrays the deep-seated frustration and despair of those individuals who felt they have no recourse, remedy, or strategy. It embodies the intense emotions of disillusionment prevalent in modern life. Through the character of Howard Beale, a fictitious TV anchor played by Peter Finch, the film encapsulates this sentiment with his iconic outburst, “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” He urges viewers to voice their own frustrations by leaning out their windows and passionately declaring, “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
The movie resonated with audiences, symbolizing a pivotal moment in American cultural history. Peter Finch’s portrayal was seminal. People were unshackled and began to “tell it like it is.”
While feelings of anger, resentment, and lashing out are nothing new. These sentiments trace back to ancient times, to the Garden of Eden. The Old Testament frequently highlights these emotions, mainly through stories of resentment and grumbling. Such narratives serve as lessons, urging us to make better decisions.
1 Corinthians 10:6-11
6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
The Greek word translated as crave or desire is epithumeo. Epithumeo means to have a strong desire, a longing, or lust. Generally speaking, it is a neutral term for intense longing or craving. However, it most frequently takes on a pejorative sense and refers to an irregular and inordinate desire, appetite, lust, impure or worldly desires, or lewdness. Epithumeo can be thought of it as strong negative desires on steroids.
The Greek word rendered as grumble is gogguzo. Gogguzo means to grumble, complain, mutter, to express oneself in low tones of disapproval. It is an onomatopoetic word based upon a sound associated with what is named. English words such as growl, murmur, cuckoo, sizzle, and whippoorwill are examples of such.
Anyone can be disappointed or discouraged by circumstances. Many go to the next level and become agitated and extremely angry. But for the children of the King, there is a better way to respond.
We can learn the skill of taking every thought and emotion captive. Instead of being dictated by our feelings and thoughts, we have the power to govern them.
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals” (Henry Ford).
REFLECT & PRAY
Paul likens human reasoning and debates to military strongholds or fortifications. Individuals construct these spiritual defenses to shield themselves and block an invasion from the knowledge of God.
Father so many times I’ve been deceived and misled. Help me to be wise and empower me to take every thought captive to the obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ.
INSIGHT
The true battleground lies in our minds and hearts: our thoughts, emotions, desires, and cravings. The adversary of our souls, along with his minions, is relentlessly working to sway and mislead the children of the King. They employ tactics of deception, falsehoods, ambiguity, doubt, and intense negative emotions like anger, fear, vengeance, and hatred to fulfill their aims.
The New Testament provides examples that showcase the enemy’s capacity to influence and determine outcomes.
One is recorded in the events of the night of the Last Supper in the Gospel of John. The enemy first influences Judas by placing the desire into his heart to betray the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever his motives, Judas had betrayal in his heart. The enemy encouraged his thoughts and plans.
John 13:2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, putting it in his heart to betray Jesus.
Then Satan went to the next level and entered into Judas. Lord Jesus Christ was fully aware of the unfolding events.
John 13:27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
The rest is history. Judas was one of the twelve apostles. Yet he was the son of perdition (John 17:12). No one suspected what was coming except the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Could such an event befall a child of the King? Reflect on this: Judas wasn’t a child of the King. He opened his heart and mind and gave the enemy an opportunity. Paul cautions every child of the King against allowing such an opening. (Ephesians 4:27).
A second example is found in the Book of Acts.
Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.”
Ananias dropped his defenses, permitting Satan to influence his choices and decisions. He allowed Satan to fill his heart. He chose poorly and suffered the consequences.
Is it possible for this to occur to a child of the King? Yes, it did. Indeed, it happened. Ananias was a child of the King. Yet he allowed Satan to take control and fill his heart.
How can we effectively deal with Satan’s attempt to influence and control us?
We learn the art and skill of subjecting every thought to the obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ. On our own, we cannot achieve this. However, the Father has equipped us with spiritual weapons to fight and win this spiritual battle for the mind.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.
4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.
“Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have” (Norman Vincent Peale).
The bottom line is that the Father has given us the ability to control our thoughts and emotions. The choice is ours.
What is the opposite of complaining and murmuring?
Expressing thankfulness and gratitude!
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 6-4-1
© Dr. H 2023
Dr H Reflections 