Are you kidding? The Bible says that? Ouch! That’s a toughie – no matter how old you are.

Read Philippians 2:14-15. “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (NLT)

I believe I first learned this verse from a translation that said “without murmuring and disputing.” Either way, you get the drift. I struggle with holding my tongue when I get upset over something my husband does (or doesn’t do). I’ve been trying to hold my tongue more lately, but it isn’t always easy.

How about when your teacher gives assignments over vacation or over a weekend? Or when you have to miss something you wanted to do because you didn’t complete a task at home… and your parents put their foot down? Or when your kid brother or sister won’t leave you alone? Or maybe a friend (or enemy) does something that sets you off?

This is not an easy verse to live up to; but again, we can look to Jesus as our example. Jesus shed sweat drops of blood as he prayed “Thy will be done,” but he didn’t murmur and complain to the Roman soldiers or when he was on the cross. God’s Word isn’t asking us to do something Jesus didn’t do, and we haven’t faced anything like he faced in his last three years on earth.

The Apostle Paul is another great example. Remember that he wrote the book of Philippians while in prison.

What is the reason we shouldn’t grumble and complain? …that we might shine like stars in this crooked and perverse generation. Could truer words be said about the direction morals are going in our country? Do we join the crowd in their downhill slide, or do we shine like lights with the hope of rescuing others around us? So much rests on your willingness to make good decisions while you are still young.

I got desperately stupid for five years in my younger years and nearly shipwrecked my life. Recovery has been long and difficult. I still face struggles that could have been avoided had I made better choices when I was young.

Lord Jesus, help us every day to make good choices. Help us to avoid grumbling and complaining when things don’t go our way. Give us a mega-serving of your Spirit so that we will have the strength to stand firm when others around us want to bring us down to their level.