Accusing, Judging, and Murmuring

I had noticed recently that my attitude had become negative, worn down and almost despondent. It seems every day the news brings a new crop of outrageous and shocking events that sear the mind and vex the soul. You feel helpless to do anything about it.

Just turn on the TV and feast your mind on the latest oppression from the princes that rule over us from Washington. It's difficult not to get absorbed by it, almost consumed by it. We may or may not think we have the solution but we know for sure that what they're doing isn't it! All that's left is to gripe and complain about the current state of affairs and accuse those in charge until it is almost a full-time endeavor. If you care about people and country, how can you not tune in to hear the latest so you can be informed the next time you meet your friends? You need to be up on the most recent vitriole so you can pour it into your friend's ear before he pours his into yours. "And did you see where thus and so happened?"

Meanwhile, it affects your digestion, your sleep and how you treat your loved ones. I was so caught up in seeking out the latest preposterous inane event out of our political and business leaders that it altered my personality and my outlook on life. I was actively looking for the worst not only in government but eventually in the people around me and I became more critical, acerbic and pessimistic.

While we are told to "watch" the events around us so we can discern the signs of the times (Mark 13:33-37), should we really be immersed in the political news of the day to the point that it affects our demeanor and personality? What does the Bible tell us about how we should handle this?
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The original "accuser" and the source of all accusing is Satan the devil.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Even Michael, one of only three archangels, dares not make accusations.

Jude 1:9-10 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (10) But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

The Lord will punish those that are controlled by their worldly lusts and despise government. The ungodly are brutish in nature and don't know any better and speak evil causing their own corruption. The angels who are more powerful than we are, know better than to complain and to make accusations against authority.

2Pet 2:9-12 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (10) But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (11) Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. (12) But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Judgment belongs to Christ alone.

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

We are continually seeking God's will and do no yet have a complete comprehension of His will so we have no right to judge others. But Christ is in a position to judge because He does fully understand the will of the Father.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

If we are continually in a spirit of anger, the devil moves in. That which we speak either gives place to the devil and grieves God's holy Spirit or it edifys and encourages our fellow man. God forgave us through Christ, who are we to judge?

Eph 4:24-32 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (27) Neither give place to the devil. (28) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: (32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

If we just can't help ourselves and feel we must cast our judgment on others, we better be fair. We will be judged in the same manner and to the same extent with which we judge.

Mat 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:35-38 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (36) Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

God will not be mocked! If He said it then it is true. If He said, "Don't judge or it will come back to you in the same measure" then you better believe it!

Isa 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

We should not whine and complain either. Complaining is rooted in seeking other people's affirmation and validation of your opinion. Whining and murmuring separates us from God as it is a lack of faith in Him and His plan. (Exo 16:8) This is a tool of Satan, the destroyer.

Jude 1:16-21 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. (17) But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; (18) How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (19) These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

1Cor 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Even though we are in the midst of an evil and perverse nation, we are not to get caught up in the disputes of the day but to separate ourselves and to shine as lights to the world of a better way and hope of tomorrow. (1Pet 3:15-17)

Php 2:14-15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
　
2Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
　
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one).

It is God who raises up kingdoms and destroys kingdoms. We are to honor those He places over us, not gripe and complain about them. God has a plan. I'm not qualified to criticize it, are you? Place your trust in Him. He knows the end from the beginning.

Dan 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
　
1Pet 2:17-18 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. (18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

While we wait patiently for the Kingdom of God to be established here on earth, we are to love one another and to be an example to them of our Lord Jesus Christ. All of God's creation groans with us in eager anticipation of the day when God will once again dwell with men.

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Rom 8:19-23 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

In the meantime, rather than place our thoughts on the things of this world that are corrupt, dishonest and unfair, we ought to follow the bible's instruction and direct our thoughts thusly -

Php 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
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Ref. The World Beyond Today: What Lies in Store?

The Gospel of the Kingdom