QT 24 Nov 16, Jude 16, Beware signs of grumbling and lack of contentment

Jude 16 (ESV) — 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

NOTE: When someone is a grumbler, a malcontent, or a complainer, it is because they have not got their own way. We all struggle to some degree with wanting our own way, and this verse should be a warning to us. When our own sinful desires start to take over us, hardening our heart, quenching the spirit, and deadening our spiritual senses, we are on our way toward becoming a "false teacher," even if we don't have a teaching role. We all teach, whether it is our children, our co-workers, even our basic witness to the world. The key is that we have to be in the word of God. We have to be repenting of sin and putting to death the evil desires in our heart. They spirit helps us in this battle, but make no mistake, it is a battle. The key is to begin seeing the victories outnumber the failures. We need our minds renewed because sin changes the way we think. The word of God renews us. The Holy Spirit makes us into new creatures. But until the transformation of our bodies into a new body, we always carry around with us the old body with its evil desires. What is the application? Watch ourselves. Look for signs of grumbling and lack of contentment. Stay in the word. Stay in prayer, and always spend some prayer time in repentance.