Grumbling Prevents Unity (YG)

1. (V9) Do not grumble against one another

Introduction:

a) Remember, The rich land owners took advantage the laborers and withheld their pay

They suffered physically, due to the lack of money they were owed

They suffered emotionally as they were angered because of the injustice

b) (V7) James exhorts us to be patient in the midst of our suffering

The Greek word for patience is Long tempered

Long suffering

James exhorts the believers to stop groaning against one another lest they be judged

Grumble means to groan or complain

We turn on one another for different reasons, but especially in times of stress

Galatians 5:15 “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”

Biting and devouring like animals is thought that Paul is conveying in this verse

It’s an act of the flesh

Galatians 5:19–20 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,”

James 4:1 “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?”

1.1 (V9) Lest you be condemned, behold the judge is standing at the door

Don’t partake an other peoples sin

We cannot control what people say or do to us, but were held accountable for our actions

Psalm 4:4 “Be angry, and do not sin.

1.2 (V10) The prophets are an example of patience and suffering

They were doing the will of God, yet they suffered (Job)

Blessed because they were in the center of Gods will

FOR CCS

If were busy fighting with each other we miss the harvest

Impatience with God often leads to impatience with God’s people

Times of hardship can cause us to be less than loving with our Christian brothers and sisters. James reminds us that we cannot become grumblers and complainers in our hardship – lest we be condemned even in our hardship.