I truly enjoy fresh figs. Sometimes when we open a beautiful fresh fig, the inside is full of worms. Some Christians are like that fig. On the outside they are doing right and appear to be living for God, but on the inside things are not good. Read Philippians 2:14-18.

Transition

Our text this morning addresses the sin of inward griping. Here, we will see what God has to say about griping.

God’s Instruction about Griping (v.14)

1. First, we see the scope of God’s instruction.
   1. “All things” includes everything that we do. All is one of those words that does not leave any exception. There are no loopholes.
   2. In context, God is speaking of all the things involved in working out our own sanctification, v.12. We looked at that last Sunday evening. Sanctification is separating from sinful things so we can be set apart to serve God.
   3. We need to separate from sinful things like pride, anger, selfishness, bitterness, lust, immodesty, greed, dishonesty, cheating, and unkind words.
   4. The truth is, we like many things that God says are not pleasing to Him. This means that we are prone to get a bad attitude about giving up our favorite sinful things.
2. Thus, do all without murmuring and disputing.
   1. Murmuring is secret complaining. It is inner feelings of discontent.
      (a) “I wish I did not have to do this.”
      (b) “I will try to get along, but I don’t like her.”
      (c) “I think pastor is a bit narrow-minded.”
      (d) “It’s not fair that God won’t let me do what everyone else is doing.”
   2. God knows our thoughts. “Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.” (Psalms 44:21)
   3. Disputing is inner deliberating, inner questioning, or inner arguing or reasoning. This is closely related to murmuring. Here are some examples of murmuring.
      (a) “I’ve been thinking and I don’t know if I want to completely separate from the world.”
      (b) “I’m not convinced that separation is really all that important anyway.”
      (c) “I know the Bible says I should tithe, but it just doesn’t make sense to me.”
   4. God wants us to obey him without inner griping. It is the Holy Spirit of God who is working in us both to will (to give us the right desire) and to do (to empower us) so we can do what is best (v.13).
   5. God knows all things. He knows what is best. He does not ask us to give up anything that is good for us, only that which will harm our walk with God.
   6. King David wrote, “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” (2 Samuel 22:31)
      So, God’s instruction is “Do all things with no secret griping!” Now let’s look at …

God’s Reason for the No Griping Rule (v.15-16)

1. We may have a good reputation if we do not gripe.
   1. Without a griping attitude, we may be blameless and harmless children of God. The word “may” tells us that conditions apply. Often store ads say “conditions apply.” You must do certain things before the special price is yours. God’s condition here is obedience to verse 14. If we do all things without secret murmuring and disputing then, and only then, may we be blameless and harmless.
      (a) Blameless means “without blame or fault” or “not deserving reproach.”
      (b) Harmless means “sincere” or “unmixed with evil.”
      (c) The secrets of our hearts affect our attitudes. People are quick to spot a hypocrite or phony. Even if we fool them, God always knows if we are blameless and harmless.
   2. God wants you and me to be the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and distorted world.
      (a) To do this, we must first be a son or child of God. You and I are children of our parents. We were born into their family. To become a child of God you must be born into God’s family. Jesus called this being born again. (John 3:3) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus also said, (John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If you have not yet repented of your sins and trusted Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for your sins, that is what you must do to become a child of God.
      (b) We live in the midst of the world, but we are not to live like the world. Jesus prayed, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (John 17:15) Notice how God describes our world.
      (c) It is a crooked world. It is a world full of curves that do not follow God’s straight path.
      (d) It is a perverse world. It is a twisted or distorted and corrupt. It calls abortion a mother’s choice. It calls biblical discipline abuse. It calls Evolution a fact and Creation a fairytale.
2. We can have a good testimony if we do not gripe.
   1. First, we will shine as a light in the world. The word “shine” is passive pointing out that we are not the light source. You are like a moon. You reflect the Son. Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5) If we are a good testimony by doing God’s will without secret griping, we will reflect Christ’s light to the world. Jesus said in (Matthew 5:16), “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
   2. Second, you will hold up the Word of life. Christ’s light for the world is found in the Word of life, the Bible. God wants us to hold forth or hold up the Word of life as one would hold up a light as you walk down a dark path at night.
      (a) God’s Word is Christian’s guide. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
      (b) God’s Word tells the unbeliever of the One who gives life. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
      (c) Kenneth Wuest states that the word translated “holding forth” means to “to hold forth so as to offer.” Thus, we are to offer the Word of life to others. This will only happen if we have a good testimony for the Lord.
      And a good testimony is needed so you can shine in the dark world and hold up the Word of life.

Conclusion

Have you been griping about God’s rules and desires for your life? If so, you are having a difficult time shining as a light for Christ and holding forth the Word of life. God cannot bless gripers. If you have been griping, humbly admit it and seek God’s forgiveness.

If you have not yet become a child of God, you cannot hope to get complete victory over griping. You first need God’s forgiveness and cleansing to make you a child of God.

Song: Cleanse Me – 166
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Griping
23 March 2025 AM ~ Philippians 2:14-18