10 Anti-Complaining Passages to Sharpen Your Sword

So you thought we were done with the complaining series, eh?

We’re getting closer… 

There are three words every Christian should use when confronted with temptation:

It. Is. Written.

Of course, it doesn’t do any good to use these three words if you don’t know what is supposed to come next. Our Savior set an example of combatting temptation with scripture, so let’s follow His lead and commit scriptures to our hearts to be armed against our enemy.

I believe we’ve become so used to complaining that we consider it less of a temptation and more of a habit. It’s a little of both. To break the habit, we ought to commit some verses to memory to defend ourselves against this subtle, knee-jerk temptation. Don’t forget to take time to refocus your mind on the Elevating Eight—the eight qualities listed from Philippians 4:8—in addition to memorizing scripture. Learning the Bible is more than just facts and figures; to make application we have to roll these around in our minds and figure out how to apply them to our lives.

Here are 10 passages to commit to memory:

Ephesians 4.29 

“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.”

Matthew 18.15

(This passage is a reminder not to grumble about other people—an easy habit to slip into!)

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

Philippians 2.14-15

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

Proverbs 29.11

(Complaining is often disguised as “venting…” but be careful when and to whom you “vent.”)

“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”

Psalm 142.1-2

(This is a good reminder to take our troubles to God first—always in a spirit of respect.)

“With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.”

1 Peter 4.8-11

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

(emphasis mine)

Ephesians 5.4

“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

James 3.10

“From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

Proverbs 4.23

“Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.”

Proverbs 17.27-28

“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” (emphasis mine)

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I’ve included a few verse images for you to use if you would like! I pulled a few of them from the YouVersion App. Also, each link will take you to the context via the BibleGateway Website. For places where I’ve only included a small part of the chapter, you can click on the icon to view the whole chapter.

If you’re like me, you like to know what’s around the verse to ensure it isn’t being used out of context. Furthermore, the context adds depth to the verse you are memorizing.

If you need more ideas on how to memorize scripture, check out 5 Benefits of Memorizing Scripture (and 4 ways to do it!).