Grumbling Against One Another Will Be Judged

James 5:9 “Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, as you will be judged.  The Judge is standing at the door!”

            O Lord!  What an admonition especially for spouses and families!  Lord, did your mom and Joseph fight or argue?  Did your siblings fight with each other or with their parents?  Even in the sweetest Christ-like homes, irritations arise with one another and grumblings either at or about each other are common. Spouses don't get along or grumble that the other has not met some expectation. Parents grumble against their children when they do not act as we think they ought.  Children grumble (tattle) about each other too!

            One might expect these persecuted Christians to grumble against their oppressors, but they were grumbling against one another just as we do today.  But You are saying that we will be judged, and soon, for it.  O Lord, help us to always remember that You live within our Christian spouses and family members and when we grumble at or about them, we grumble against You!  Help us to remember that with all Christians with whom we come in contact whether at work or at church.  How will we ever win the lost if we act like them?

            Lord, I confess that there have been times when I have grumbled either verbally or in my heart and mind.  Please forgive me.  For whether verbal or not, the condition of my heart was not right, driven by either pride or selfishness.  Forgive me for that as well, Lord.  Help me to be more aware of this tendency, for I never want to grumble again.  For if I truly believe that nothing happens to me that You have not first approved for my ultimate good, why would I grumble?