loud-mouthed – Praying Pint

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing.

Exodus 16:8   Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.”

Numbers 14:27   “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me?

Psalms 106:25    They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the LORD.

James 5:9     Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

1 Peter 4:9     Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Jude 1:16    These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

In Philippians 2:14, Paul said, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” Now, that’s convicting, isn’t it? Grumbling isn’t an outward, loud complaint. Instead, it’s that under-the-breath murmuring you do at your job, in traffic, or in church. Make no mistake about it: God hates grumbling.

Why does God hate grumbling so much? One reason is that grumbling is a sign of ingratitude toward God. In Exodus 16:8, Moses said to the Israelites, “Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord.” When you complain, you are really saying, “God, You don’t know what You’re doing. I could do a lot better job if I were in charge.” Another reason God judges grumbling is that it robs other Christians of their joy when they listen to your complaints. Grumbling spreads like a disease. When Paul said, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,” he was talking about your job. He was talking about your homework. He was talking about your chores. He was even talking about your ministry in the church. What is the benefit of doing all things without grumbling? Paul said in Philippians 2:15-16, “So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life.” The reason God wants us to live obediently is so we can stand out in this dark world that has lost its thirst for God.

You may remember the children’s song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” That song is cute, but it’s misleading. The word in verse 15, “lights,” is not a little light. It literally means “luminary.” God wants our witness for Christ to be a big, shining light–like a star or a planet–not to illuminate ourselves, but to illuminate God. That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” That’s what happens when we live obediently. When we live a distinctive life, it causes God to be glorified. (Robert Jeffress)

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Psalms 5:9     For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.

Psalms 73:7-9     Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.  They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.  They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.

Psalms 52:2   Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.

Matthew 12:34-37    You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.  I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,  for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Jude 1:13-16    These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Proverbs 10:31-32    The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Free speech does not give the right, in the sight of God, to say or speak every thought that comes to our mind. Lying to influence or appeal to people is wrong. The intent, purpose, ambition, object, plan, scheme, and target are all wrong. The same can be said about deception where it might not be an outright lie but the expected truth is far away from what this deceiver is saying. We hear it from politicians, businesses, celebrities, news outlets, strangers, friends, family, etc….. The human heart, apart from Jesus Christ, has a way of making deceit right in its own eyes. Their heart is hardened like stone and they believe they are not going to be held accountable by God. They have no fear of Him. Lies, boasts, and arrogance flows from their mouths like a river. In a nation that has Free Speech we may be free to say what we want but what we say can have consequences both now and in the future and for sure at the Judgement Seat of Jesus Christ.

If we want to apply Free Speech let us do it in the way Jesus Christ intended. Do not be confused by what the culture determines is right and true. Let the Word of God be your guide. We are to speak truthfully, build others up, and use our speech to praise, honor, worship, and glorify Jesus Christ. Put your thoughts and words you are about to speak through the strainer of God’s Word. If it is not the truth, or building someone up, or to the honor, praise, glory, or worship of Jesus Christ keep it to yourself.

Tag: loud-mouthed

16.j. “Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.”

14.n. “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters”