Attitude

Attitude

In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.

Philippians 2:14-15

These verses about complaining and arguing seem to refer back to the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, specifically to a prayer of Moses. In Deuteronomy 32 Moses began his prayer by recounting the greatness of God—God is the Rock, his ways are perfect, all his ways are just, and he is a faithful God who does no wrong.

But sadly, Moses went on to lament that the people had acted corruptly toward God. No longer were they acting like God’s children, but as a result of their complaining, they had become a warped and crooked generation. Moses asked, “Is this the way you repay the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?” (v. 6, NIV).

Have you ever had a talk like that with one of your children? Something like, “All the time and love I spend in taking care of you, providing for you, feeding you, doing your laundry, driving you around—and you think you can treat me like that? No way!” God had a much bigger stake in the lives of the children of Israel. He was not just their parent—he was their Creator, and he was God!

Although we don’t like to hear our children complain and argue, we sometimes complain and argue ourselves. When we do, we lose some of our luster before a watching family and a watching world. May God help us stay away from complaining and arguing so that we will reflect Christ more effectively.

Father,

Please forgive us for complaining and arguing. Help us to remember that by doing this we are choosing to walk down a crooked path. Instead, may we be grateful and praise you, so that we will more effectively reflect Christ to our children! Amen.