Despite its prevalence, the Bible consistently discourages a complaining attitude, instead encouraging patience, gratitude, and faith during challenges or difficulties. Understanding these biblical references to complaining can help one foster more positivity, resilience, and faith in their life.
What the Bible Says About Complaining
The Bible contains clear messages about the unfruitfulness of complaining. It presents perseverance through trials with faith and gratitude as a more soul-nourishing alternative. It suggests, rather than grumbling about adversities, one should trust in God’s wisdom and timing, recognizing that adversities often serve a greater purpose.
Why Complaining is Discouraged in the Bible
Complaining is discouraged in the Bible because it fosters negativity and displays a lack of faith in God’s providence and sovereignty. Rather than dwelling on current afflictions, the architecture of the Bible’s wisdom prompts a shift toward acknowledgement and understanding of these afflictions as potential pathways to greater spiritual growth and maturity. This helps individuals cultivate an attitude of humility and acceptance, understanding life’s challenges as part and parcel of human existence and personal growth, rather than futile sources of resentment.
When the Bible Encourages Patience Instead of Complaining
The Bible urges individuals to exercise patience, particularly during times of hardship. Instead of fostering a complaining mindset, it suggests viewing tribulations as catalysts for the development of patience, molding an individual to become more resilient and faithful. This perspective helps believers maintain a positive spirit and cultivate a stronger character, leading to a more fulfilled and contented life.
Where Gratitude Replaces Complaining
The Bible encourages gratitude instead of complaining. It prompts individuals to develop a grateful heart, seeing and appreciating the blessings in life rather than dwelling on the challenges or shortcomings. This approach mirrors the empathetic and loving nature of God to remind individuals to focus on the good in life, fostering happiness, satisfaction, and a stronger spiritual connection.
Who Should Refrain from Complaining According to the Bible
According to the Bible, everyone should refrain from complaining, regardless of their life situation. It presents complaining as a universal habit that hinders spiritual growth and happiness. In place of complaining, the Bible promotes virtues such as faith, patience, and gratitude, effectively guiding people towards more fruitful and uplifting lifestyles. In adhering to these recommendations, individuals can cultivate a superior understanding and acceptance of life’s ups and downs, allowing them to live more harmoniously and happily.
Below is our full list of bible verses on complaining (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Complaining
Philippians 2:14
“14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
James 5:9
“9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”
Related Themes: Criticism Judging Others Gossip Patience
1 Peter 4:9
“9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
Related Themes: Strangers Hospitality Service Community
1 Corinthians 10:10
“10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”
Related Themes: Discontent
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Related Themes: Frustration Gratitude Thankfulness Attitude
Ephesians 4:29
“29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Judging Others Cursing
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Creativity Attitude Business
Exodus 16:8
“8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.”
Psalm 106:25
“25 But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.”
Philippians 2:14-16
“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;16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
Romans 8:28
“28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Related Themes: Suffering Frustration Sovereignty Life
Philippians 2:12-16
“12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.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;16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
Related Themes: Pleasing God Reverence Character
Job 2:10
“10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”
Related Themes: Benevolence
Philippians 2:14-15
“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;”
Proverbs 17:22
“22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Philippians 2:15
“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;”
Related Themes: Arguing Light Holiness Perfection
Hebrews 13:5
“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.”
Related Themes: Money Loneliness Finances Greed
Numbers 11:1
“1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.”
Related Themes: Fire
Numbers 11:1-4
“1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.2 And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched.3 And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?”
Related Themes: Fire
Genesis 3:12
“12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”
Related Themes: Excuses
Philippians 4:11-12
“11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Exodus 15:24
“24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?”
Exodus 16:7
“7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?”
Related Themes: Grumbling
Numbers 21:4-6
“4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.”
Isaiah 53:7
“7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”
Related Themes: Silence Self-Control Persecution Gentleness
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“16 Rejoice evermore.17 Pray without ceasing.18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Related Themes: Attitude Joy Thankfulness
1 Timothy 2:8
“8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
Exodus 15:22
“22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.”
Romans 15:13
“13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Related Themes: Hope Holy Spirit Joy Life
Philippians 4:11-13
“11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
