The Source of the Grumble

Transcript:

Hello! This is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective!

The Bible presents the devil as a grumbler, always finding fault, always accusing. He’s the poster child for the unhappy grump.

Now, why is the devil so unhappy? Well, he’s so unhappy because he’s so ungrateful. He doesn’t have a thankful bone in his body. He’s utterly discontent. Nothing is ever good enough for him. Heaven and all the joys of God were not good enough for him! It wasn’t fair enough. It wasn’t equitable enough. It wasn’t glorious enough.

C.S. Lewis famously wrote: “Hell begins with a grumbling mood….” You see, grumbling is the devil’s original recipe.

The devil hops from relationship to relationship, from family to family, from office to office, from church to church—complaining, accusing, and grumbling.

The Greek term for the “devil” is comprised of two words suggesting the idea to “launch” an attack that “pierces through”. Etymologically its related to the English word “ballistic”. The devil is the one who postures superiority and hurls insults, complaints, and accusations intended to pierce others and bring them down.

And so, the devil is always finding fault, pointing fingers, and throwing stones. Slandering, maligning and condemning! He’s a backbiter, liar, and malicious gossip—always bringing charges, rehearsing grievances, tearing others down to bring himself up. Not surprising, he’s called the “accuser” of God’s people (Job 1, Zechariah 9, and Revelation 12)

Nothing is ever good enough for devil!

Is it for you?

Are you walking in the pattern of the grumbler, or are you leaning into an attitude of gratitude?

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’ Then Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

~ Job 1:6-12 (ESV)