Are all things perfect? Of course not, and neither will they be until Jesus returns to set up his kingdom. Therefore, if I am to achieve contentment, I must learn to accept imperfection in things involving human beings.

Jesus Christ was the only perfect person that ever lived, and he lived in an imperfect world with imperfect people. Even the apostles had faults. Yet, Jesus loved mankind with all of its faults and flaws. In fact, he loved mankind enough to die for it.

Jesus was not blind or indifferent to the sins or wrong attitudes of people, but neither did he spend his time here complaining. Instead of complaining about man's lost condition he did something about it. He offered salvation, a born again experience, and an indwelling of his Spirit. He offered mercy, forgiveness, and love.

One man said, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

It has been my observation that it is always easier to tear down something than it is to build something. Complainers specialize in tearing things down. They are destroyers. They are negative thinkers. Fault finders consistently feel the need to share their litany of complaints with a sympathetic ear. And the person that offers a sympathetic ear to a complainer will soon be infected with the same negative attitude as the complainer. He will soon become a sour fault finder himself looking for yet another person to infect.

• The Hebrews were delivered from slavery in Egypt and complained how it was done.
• They were given water from a rock and complained.
• They were given manna from heaven and complained.
• They were given quail in the wilderness and complained.
• They were given the great man of God, Moses, to lead them and they complained.
• They were given the law of God from Mt. Sinai and they complained.
• They were given the promise land and they complained.
• They were given the tabernacle of God and they complained.

Numbers 14:26 reads, "And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me." God considered all complaining about his program, his food, his leaders, and his law as complaints against himself.

In Philippians 2:14-15, Paul wrote, "Do all things without murmurings and disputing: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God."

Complaining can be a bad habit, a very destructive habit. It destroys saints and sinners. It drives away prospective converts. It is an oppressive spirit that can prevent revival. It is a victory destroyer.

Paul gave us instructions about a better thought and speech habit in Philippians 4:7-8, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."