40 Insightful Bible Verses About Complaining

Complaining is one character that almost every human exhibit. We complain when things are not going smoothly and as expected. Complaining too much or too often is not an attitude that one should take pride in, especially for a Christian, it is so wrong to complain, the energy should be channeled into taking those matter of concern to God in prayers. In this article, we will be writing down some Bible verses that warns us about the dangers and demerits of complaining as Christians.

Complaining is one sneaky habit that we don’t even realize we indulge in until it has become too obvious. Some mindful people consciously stay away from people they perceive to be complainers. Complaining is a very frustrating and damaging attitude that blinds our eyes to the things we have and constantly remind us of the wrong things in our lives. But Christ has urged us as Christians to always give thanks in all situations we find ourselves. Jesus never complained about anything while on earth, even on the cross of crucifixion, he gave thanks to the almighty God. It is wise for us to practice Christ kind of life.

What does the Bible Say about complaining and Grumbling

On the issue of complaining, the Bible has laid down principles against it, noting the dangers that are associated with complaining and encouraging us in several scriptures to always give thanks to God

In the book of Malachi 2:2 God expressed his displeasure and punishment for not giving thanks to his name. He said “if you will not hear, and if you will not lay to heart to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings, yea I have cursed them already because you do not lay it to heart”. This is a typical proof why we should always give thanks rather than complain. Complaining makes us see less of God’s workings and provision thereby breeding ingratitude in us. Gratitude is great key to living a life of contentment.

The Bible encouraged us to cast all our cares upon God for he cares about us, as seen in the Book of 1 Peter 5:7. Tabling our matters of concern to God in a way that pleases him, saves us from complaining to people around us and giving us full assurance of help from God. Rather than murmur and complain tirelessly, let us go to Jesus who have called us to come to him with all our worries, for him alone can solve our problems. Here are some Bible verses that teach on how to drop the habit of complaining and embrace a life of gratitude;

Short Bible verses about complaining and murmuring

Do all things without grumbling or disputing. – Philippians 2:14
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. – 1 Peter 4:9
They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the Lord. – Psalm 106:25
I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. – Psalm 142:2
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. – Psalm 119:165
With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. – Psalm 142:1
When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord. – Proverbs 19:3
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. – Psalm 37:8
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. – Psalm 34:1
nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. – 1 Corinthians 10:10

Bible Verses About Complaining

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. – James 5:9
How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. – Numbers 14:27
Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? – Lamentations 3:39
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. – James 1:17
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. – Psalm 55:17
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. – Romans 14:12-13
And those who go astray in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction. – Isaiah 29:24
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29
Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your commandments and your warnings that you gave them. Even in their own kingdom, and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works. – Nehemiah 9:34-35
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:14
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. – Proverbs 16:32
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. – Proverbs 10:19
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. – James 5:10-11
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17
And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. – Numbers 11:1
And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?’ And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord. – Exodus 16:7-8
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. – Jude 1:16
Stop grumbling among yourselves,’ Jesus answered. ‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. – John 6:43-44
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. – Romans 1:21
When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? – 1 Corinthians 6:1-5
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. – James 4:11
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. – 2 Timothy 2:23
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. – 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. – James 1:19-20
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. – 1 Timothy 6:3-5
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. – Proverbs 20:3