Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life.

Philippians 2:14-16
 

Grumble [Gruhm-buhl]: to cast doubt and express displeasure in an unjustified ways; secret murmurings and complaints against God, leaders, or fellow believers that arise from pride and lead to disunity.

 

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

James 5:9, NIV
 

These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Jude 16, NIV
 

And don’t grumble as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.

1 Corinthians 10:10-12
 

As Christians, we are responsible to maintain the unity of our local churches, and to do that, we need to protect our relationships with our brothers and sisters… As long as sin remains in us, conflict will remain in the church. Though it is unfortunate, it is also inevitable. There will be times when we disagree with others. There will be times when we need to confront other people for their sinful actions or attitudes or to dispute with others to contend for the truth and guard the gospel. But both must be handled with love and grace. Both must be seen as opportunities to further unity rather than further disrupt it. Both must be seen as threats to our calling to shine as lights in this dark and needy world.
– Tim Challies

&nbps;

Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

James 4:11-12
 

To Shine Like Stars:

Talk to God (first)

Let (some) stuff go

Engage with teachable humility

Look to Jesus

 

Lord, my every desire is in front of you; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart races, my strength leaves me, and even the light of my eyes has faded. My loved ones and friends stand back from my affliction, and my relatives stand at a distance. LORD, do not abandon me; my God, do not be far from me. Hurry to help me, my Lord, my salvation.

Psalm 38:9-11,21-22
 

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11, ESV
 

“Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam of wood in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the splinter in your brother’s eye.

Luke 6:41-42
 

Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life.

Philippians 2:12-16