For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

2:14   Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Ok – who wants to be a hypocrite? An actor, a thespian. One who puts on a face and presents themselves as something they are not. Does anyone see my hand up?

As believers, one of the “simple” commands we are to obey is our subject text, and that is to do all things without grumbling or disputing.

Both of these terms relate to our inner thoughts. Of course when I hear the term grumbling, I always picture an old man, stooped over and following his wife, complaining under his breathe about all the mistreatment he has endured through life. Grumble grumble grumble. This grumbling is often an overflow of the negative complaining thoughts that erupt out of us, in that quiet, sometime passive aggressive monologue some of us like to live in.

But what surprised me was the Greek term for disputing. It is the Greek word διαλογισμός dialogismós, and is translated as

• thought (9x)
• reasoning (1x)
• imagination (1x)
• doubtful (1x)
• disputing (1x)
• doubting (1x)

Taking a quick look at the above list helps me understand that Paul is speaking of what goes on in our heads with no one watching. It is that inward reasoning, or deliberation that we all experience. It is that thought process we roll around in our head, not allowing any external argument to enter, for we know that we have no defensible argument!

My goodness, how I have to admit to being an actor in the Christian life, even in my quiet thoughts, in my internal reasonings, in my thought life.

I will admit it, but I will also, from this point on see this verse as a much greater challenge to my Christian faith, a challenge that I fear will get the better of me if I don’t trust His provision and exercise a grateful heart.

Join me this day in thanking God for the many ways He has provided His grace and mercy to you. Thank Him not only in the words that come out of your mouth, but per the verse of the day, also in your thought life!

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