"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 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; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain."
Philippians 2:14-16
Part 1
In this section of Philippians 2, Paul is explaining how these believers are to be “lights in the world.” Every believer’s testimony is essential, both individually and corporately, as he/she relates to the body of Christ. In this long sentence, he gives them more directions as to how they can shine for the Lord.
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings.”
The believer who practices this will stand out from the world and from many other Christians. To murmur is to gripe and complain about the situation you happen to be in at any given time. This was what the Grecians[1] were doing in Acts 6:1. Their murmuring was harming the body. And nothing hurts the testimony of Christ more than a Christian who gripes. A griper sends the message to others that God is not good, nor does He care for his people.
Disputing is the practice of questioning negatively in your heart, your circumstance, or a situation that you cannot explain. These internal questions, if not checked, will lead to external disputes with others. This word described the disciples’ attitude when Jesus came into the upper room after His resurrection. Jesus called them on it when he said, “Why are you troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? (Luke 24:38).
Murmurings and disputings are cousins, and if not stopped and put in their place will lead God’s child into a dark place where they have no business being. Spurgeon said there are three things that we believers are never to murmur against[2]:
• The Providence of God
• One another
• The ungodly world
“St. Paul’s own experience, and indeed that of all who walk as he walked, is that God does not always make all pleasing or all plain. Often men have to wait and be content with the message which St. Paul received, ‘Rise and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.’ If they go in faith as the blinded apostle went, then the scales fall off.” [3]
We trust that our God is working behind the scene to make “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). Which things are we believers to do without murmurings and disputings? The answer is right in front of us, “all things.”
We learn here that how we talk matters. Our speech will either help or hinder our testimony. We need to be careful about how we communicate. We also need to be blameless and harmless and without rebuke. How can we do that? Come back tomorrow and let’s talk about it.
[1] The Grecians were the Greek-speaking Jews, and the Hebrews were the Hebrew speaking Jews.
[2] Guzik, David. David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] Popular New Testament, A Popular Commentary on the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.