Contented or Complainer?

662.  "Contented or Complainer?"
 December 28, 2012
Jude 16-19   Part 12
These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would  be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God's Spirit in them.  NLT

LET IT GLOW

Flattery will get you everywhere.
Have you heard that phrase before?
It may be true for some folks, but it isn't true for me. I can usually see through the flattering words and understand the purpose behind them, which is not to encourage me, but use me to get something for the speaker. Jude is still describing those apostates.
(There are 6 more verses left in this Book, so hang in there with me.) Jude is certainly not using flattery in his writings.

"These grumblers and malcontents follow their own lusts; their bloated words are nothing but flattery," states Liberty Bible Commentary.

I looked up the words that King James uses to find their definition in Thayer's Lexicon:
murmerers-one who discontentedly complains;
complainers-complaining of one's lot; discontent;
lusts-desire, craving, longing; a longing for what is forbidden;
swelling words.

The New Living Translation uses these descriptive words for the apostates:
grumblers, complainers, braggers, flatterers, scoffers, dividers.

The English Standard Version uses these words:
grumblers, malcontents, sinners, loud-mouth boasters, favoritismers (my word).

The New International Version uses faultfinders instead of complainers. followers of natural instincts instead of spiritual.

When an -er is added onto a word, it denotes a person or implement performing the act. (Webster's Dictionary)

So Jude is talking about the people doing these things.
Although I am not one, an apostates, but a follower of Jesus, do I sometimes find myself acting and talking like one?

LET IT GROW

Here are some things MacArthur Bible Commentary has to say about these verses:

• This is the only place that the word grumblers is found in the New Testament.
• Complainers were finding fault; they gave vent to disatisfaction with God's will and way as was the case with Israel, Sodom, the fallen angels, Cain, Korah, and Balaam.
• The unconverted is described as walking after their own lusts; driven by a desire for sinful self-satisfaction.
• They mouth great words, speaking arrogantly, pompously, even magnificently, but with empty, lifeless words of no spiritual value.
• They flatter people, telling them what they want to hear for their own profit rather than proclaiming the truth of God's Word for the auditors' benefit.

Author Charles Swindoll gives us some ideas on what to do about any people we encounter that are this way:

• Alert others and inform them so they are not surprised by these false teachers.
• Listen to their words and look at their lifestyle.
• Keep in shape by keeping in God's Word.
• Pray and depend on the Holy Spirit.
• Win people to Jesus.

Paul learned that whatever state he was in, to be content (Phil. 4:11), and with such things as he had (Heb. 13 5).
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thess. 5:18


LET IT GO

Stay in  Bible study and prayer.

Learn to be content and grateful.

Thank Jesus for all I have and for my situation.