Costs of Complaining
Complaining is a spiritual disease that can only be cured by cleansing in the blood of the Lamb.
A.W. Tozer addresses the detrimental effects of complaining among Christians, illustrating how it aligns them with negative biblical figures like Cain and Korah. He emphasizes that a complaining spirit reveals a lack of understanding of Christ's sufferings, particularly in light of His agony at Gethsemane and Calvary. Tozer argues that comparing our trivial struggles to Christ's immense suffering should silence our complaints, as no pain we endure can match His. He concludes that complaining is not merely a habit but a spiritual ailment that requires redemption through the blood of Christ. Ultimately, the sermon calls for believers to seek healing from this affliction rather than rationalizing their grievances.
Text
The complainer is further embarassed by the moral company in which he finds himself. His is a spiritual affinity with some pretty shady characters: Cain, Korah, the sulky elder brother, the petulant Jews of the Book of Malachi who answered every fatherly admonition of God with an ill-humored "Wherefore have we? Wherein have we?" These are but a few faces that stand out in the picture of the disgruntled followers of the religious way. And the complaining Christian, if he but looks closely, will see his own face peering out at him from the background.
Lastly, the believer who complains against the difficulties of the way proves that he has never felt or known the sorrows which broke over the head of Christ when He was here among men.
After one look at Gethsemane or Calvary, the Christian can never again believe that his own path is a hard one. We dare not compare our trifling pains with the sublime passion endured for our salvation. Any comparison would itself be the supreme argument against our complaints, for what sorrow is like unto His? After saying all this we are yet sure that no one can be reasoned out of the habit of complaining. That habit is more than a habit--it is a disease of the soul, and as such, it will never yield to mere logic. The only cure is cleansing in the blood of the Lamb.
Sermon Outline
- The Company We Keep
- The Consequences of Complaining
- The Cure for Complaining
- Complaining is a disease of the soul
- The only cure is cleansing in the blood of the Lamb
Key Quotes
“The only cure is cleansing in the blood of the Lamb.” — A.W. Tozer
“We dare not compare our trifling pains with the sublime passion endured for our salvation.” — A.W. Tozer
“After one look at Gethsemane or Calvary, the Christian can never again believe that his own path is a hard one.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should be careful not to compare our pains with Christ's passion, as it would undermine our complaints.
- Complaining is a spiritual disease that requires spiritual treatment.
- Cleansing in the blood of the Lamb is the only cure for complaining.