Is Arguing/Complaining,of any kind, a sin?

[Timothy Long]

I have been reading Philippians and I think it is an amazing book. Short and sweet. But I told a person we should not argue/complain as in Philippians 2:14
He told me I was taking it out of context. I try not to argue or complain in any way. Is doing so sin?

[Buzzardhut]

The Book of Acts shows believers arguing throughout the book.
Airing out differences and grievances can clear the air.
You won't find any arguments on this board :hehee

[HeIsEnough]

I have been reading Philippians and I think it is an amazing book. Short and sweet. But I told a person we should not argue/complain as in Philippians 2:14
He told me I was taking it out of context. I try not to argue or complain in any way. Is doing so sin?

Paul was in jail, suffering for the gospel, yet not complaining. The Phillipians sent a messenger and helper to Paul while in prison, Epaphroditus. This person fell ill, and they were obviously concerned over his welfare as well, along with that of Paul. They were constantly under attack from without and within, mainly from the same group who were demanding following the law of Moses, along with Christ. Most of Paul's troubles were related to them, and the Phillipians were facing the same thing. Paul admonishes them to:

Philippians 1:27 "I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you."

This is the one spirit they were to maintain, standing firm while not giving in to those who were perverting the gospel. With this activity, would come many hardships, as they were suffering, and Paul admonished them to be content in all circumstances.

It is this circumstance the Phillipians were in, and they were not to complain about what they were facing, nor argue with one another about what to do. They were to stand together in one spirit.

One of the most tragic things that happened to Israel in the wilderness, was that they complained about God's provision for them. They 'murmured' over what they use to have in Egypt, and what they were now getting with God. God was greatly displeased, and we know the rest of the story.

In this case, surely their situation was not so good, they were indeed sharing in Paul's troubles: Phillipians 4:14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles." In doing this, it is clear they may suffer financially, even leading some to their own imprisonment, as was Paul. All because Judaizers were stirring trouble for believers all around the Roman empire.

So, in terms of complaining, grumbling and murmering, yes. We should be mindful of the Lord's provision, and always be in thanksgiving and content with what He provides, and our station in life. Both aspects Paul admonishes them on, as they are very important for us believers today.

Because of defense of the gospel, we may end up suffering like they did. That defense may involve arguing, but not in the way we normally view it. It is in defending the gospel, and not letting it be corrupted by anyone.

[matt]

Also the book of Jude tells us to expressly 'contend' for the faith. Too many Christians think that conflict of any type is wrong. This is wrong. And that is why false teaching has crept into our churches, for fear of causing conflict and being perceived as trouble makers.

Remember, Jesus said many false teachers would come as sheep, but really would be 'wolves in sheeps clothing'. The word 'contest' as refered to in Jude expressly means to fight for the faith. As Christians it is our duty to judge everything we are told, even by our own ministers - by the Bible. If it's not biblical, it's not right. Then we should contest for the faith, and 'fight the good fight'.

[matt]

Also, we should expect to be finding ourselves in more and more situations unfortunately as time goes on where we genuinely do have to contest for the faith. So many lines have been draw and crossed and there is so much false teaching and watering down of Christianity occuring today that our positions as men and women of faith are actually going to draw us into confrontation.

I used to worry about this and believe now that it is all about being a good and faithful servant. God has given us a great gift in Jesus and it is our commission to go into the world and take the good news to that world. Inevitably then, we are going to encounter opposition. But the Bible tells us not to worry when we are in positions were we are called upon to justify our biblical views, because the Holy Spirit will help us.

And you never know what effect your 'contesting' may have. God uses powerfully even the smallest seeds that are sown. Remember, those who are used by God - and we all are - and help lead a person away from their sins to God, covers over a multitude of sins and saves that persons life.

[Jesse]

Personally, I really don't enjoy arguing, and there have even been times when I have literally gotten sick to my stomach while getting into arguments on message boards.

But Jude 1:3 exhorts believers to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints". In The Merriam Webster Dictionary, two of the definitions for contend (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/Contend) are "to strive in debate" and "argue".

In the next verse, Jude also explained why this must be: "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago where marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4).

Acts 17:16-17 says “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him”.

Obviously, Paul was not disputing in order to defend his pride, as many of the post-modern thinkers in our day would probably insist if Paul were on the earth today. But he knew that the eternal salvation of his hearers depended on whether or not they believed the gospel, and that is the real issue which is rarely faced honestly.

One could say that many of those who teach that we shouldn't argue are also arguing. They are making an argument that we should not argue, and that seems a bit hypocritical to me.

While I do not enjoy arguing, there are just certain situations were it is necessary, not to prove that we are better than anyone else, but to bring more clarity to a subject for the benefit of others.

[CHRISTinCheryl]

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Airing out differences and grievances can clear the air.
You won't find any arguments on this board :hehee

:poke :hairout :snap

no , no arguments here :gtongue :gtongue :gtongue

[AnnaC]

I think mostly it is about the attitude of your heart while "arguing" or "complaining". As previous posters have said, sometimes it is good and healthy to have an argument. But if you are arguing to be vindictive or to tear someone down, then that is wrong.

Same thing for complaining. Sometimes you need to share your opinion about something that you are not happy with. That is ok, in the right context. But if you are a person that always has an attitude of complaining and you are never happy about anything, then that is wrong.

I think, like so many other things in the Christian walk, a lot of this comes down to your heart attitude.