stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 2:14)

As a kid, I remember a moment in a church business meeting that didn’t reflect the fruit of the Spirit. The decision to apply wallpaper or paint to a wall led to much arguing and complaining about several other things. The meeting did not end in prayer or greater unity but in anger and contentiousness. It was a terrible witness to the many children and teenagers that day. It has served as a reminder of how I should lead every meeting in the church for the last twenty-five years. Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining and arguing.” Paul knew these sins, steeped in selfishness, would destroy the unity and effectiveness of the church at Philippi. Paul’s command came after asking for the church’s continual obedience to the Lord’s will. What good is obedience if done while complaining and arguing?  

If the Philippians were to avoid complaining and arguing in everything they did, how then should they act?  They were to rejoice in unity and enjoy the oneness as they joined in the gospel mission and being the church. Philippians 2:15 says they will be “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” It’s hard to shine for Jesus while arguing and complaining. Paul knew the unconfessed continuation of these sins would significantly wound and even kill the church. I’ve witnessed how arguing can destroy ministry and even a church.  In the name of being right and having one’s opinion supersede another, church members can argue about the most straightforward biblical issues (even trivial ones). 

Arguing can destroy the unity of the Spirit and even stiff-arm the presence of the Lord in a church. I once had church leaders argue to the point of yelling, backbiting, and slander because of a minor variation in a secondary doctrine. What they lacked in those moments was the presence and fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit will not stay where there is pride, arguing, backbiting, complaining, and slander.  

Complaining can also erase a church’s effective witness and chip away at its unity in gospel mission.  Once in a “summer of serving,” I organized four local mission experiences for the church to serve our gospel partners and some others (pregnancy center, orphanage, collegiate ministry, widows). A few key leaders complained so much about it being “busy work” that they convinced some in the church not to serve. Complainers are usually not the doers in the church. Paul understood, and so should we, that demonic acts of arguing and complaining will kill a church, while worshipful acts of serving and loving the least of these bring praise and honor to the Lord.

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Do you regularly argue and complain?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• Allow the Spirit to lead you to ways you can build gospel unity in your church.

Action for the Hands (Do)

• How can you best support and promote the decisions and ministries in your church?