S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Greek word translated "complainer" means literally "one who is discontented with his lot in life." It is akin to the word grumbler. Complaining is certainly not a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians...

Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.

July 01 2013 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

Someone has said, "You will find that, as a rule, those who complain about the way the ball bounces are usually the ones who dropped it." Unfortunately, if I "fumble the football," or drop the "easy fly ball" in baseball, I too often rationalize it and blame circumstances or someone else. 

Jesus was making some public comments in John 6:25-66). Jesus was dealing with the curious in John 6:25-40). For example, see their confusion in John 6:25-26, 28, 30-31, 36. Interestingly, some in the crowd said, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” (v. 28). But Jesus corrects them in 2 verses, John 6:27, "But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” Also, in John 6:29, Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

People are to seek Jesus for spiritual bread (John 6:27, 33-35). In John 6:35, He said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

Here in John 6:41 we see that: Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said.


After this, Jesus deals with the carnal in John 6:60-66. Many of His followers now decide against Him in John 6:60-65. 

Many disciples desert Jesus:
60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?

And then, sadly, many of his disciples leave. Verse 66 says, "At this point, many of his disciples turned away and deserted him." And that was too bad, because Jesus really is the ONLY TRUE BREAD OF LIFE, and we have to appropriate Him.

--For an alliterated outline of John 6 on which I structured my answer, see "The Chapters of John SCHOLARS CROSSING"

November 01 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does the Bible say about complaining?

The Bible consistently treats complaining as a spiritual issue because it reveals how the heart responds to God's sovereignty, provision, and guidance. Scripture shows that grumbling is not merely an emotional reaction but a posture that can distort faith, disrupt community, and provoke divine displeasure.

Complaining first appears prominently in Israel's wilderness journey, where dissatisfaction repeatedly surfaced despite God's visible care. When the people lamented their hardships, Scripture records that "the Lord heard it, and His anger was kindled" (Numbers 11:1). Their complaints were not viewed as simple frustration but as resistance to God's leadership. Moses clarified this when he told Israel, "Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord" (Exodus 16:8). Complaining, therefore, is portrayed as a misdirected accusation toward God's wisdom and care.

The New Testament reinforces this theme by urging believers to cultivate a spirit free from grumbling. Paul commands, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing" (Philippians 2:14), linking complaint‑free living to a blameless witness in a corrupt world. Complaining is shown to dim the believer's testimony, while gratitude illuminates it. Similarly, James warns, "Do not grumble against one another… the Judge is standing at the door" (James 5:9), indicating that interpersonal complaints invite divine scrutiny.

Scripture also presents complaining as spiritually dangerous because it can escalate into rebellion. Paul recalls Israel's history, saying, "Nor grumble, as some of them did—and were destroyed by the destroyer" (1 Corinthians 10:10). This historical example shows that persistent complaint can harden the heart, leading to consequences far beyond the initial frustration.

Yet the Bible does not forbid expressing distress to God. The Psalms demonstrate that believers may bring their burdens honestly before Him: “Pour out before Him my complaint; before Him I tell my trouble" (Psalm 142:2). The difference lies in direction—complaining against God reflects distrust, while bringing complaints to God reflects dependence. Scripture encourages believers to replace grumbling with prayerful petition: "In every situation… with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). Thanksgiving transforms complaint into faith.

The Bible also ties complaining to forgetfulness of God's works. Israel "complained in their tents and did not heed the voice of the Lord" (Psalm 106:25), showing that complaint often arises when God's past faithfulness is ignored. Gratitude, by contrast, anchors the heart in remembrance: "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

Finally, Scripture teaches that complaining distorts perspective. Lamentations asks, "Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?" (Lamentations 3:39), reminding readers that complaint can obscure God's justice and mercy. Instead, believers are called to trust that "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28). 

In summary: 

The Bible presents complaining as a sign of weakened trust, a threat to harmony, and a doorway to spiritual harm. At the same time, it directs believers to bring their concerns to God sincerely, turning frustration into prayer, gratitude, and renewed assurance in His guidance.

Israel's dissatisfaction provoked God's displeasure, and the New Testament calls believers to reject grumbling and embrace thankfulness.

Scripture distinguishes complaining against God from bringing burdens to Him, showing that faith reshapes complaint into humble reliance.

18 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report