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While traveling to the Promised Land, Israel struggled with complaining. In Numbers 11:4 the Bible says, “Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat!” The term “rabble” is rendered by some translations as “riff-raff.” Either way, it’s a pejorative term that highlights the nature of these people to complain and grumble. The fact that Scripture refers to such people this way demonstrates what God thinks about complaining. Recently freed from slavery, many Israelites still found reasons to complain. In this regard, Israel might be an awful lot like us.

God has worked to deliver us from even greater bondage—that of sin. He has blessed us in innumerable ways. And yet, too often, our words are filled with complaints and grumbling. Don’t be part of the riff-raff and rabble. Instead, reflect on God’s blessings, be content, and thank God for His gifts of mercy.

What makes a good encourager? Encouragement is a wonderful blessing to receive, but it can be difficult to know how to effectively encourage others. But the best way to be a good encourager is to simply say what God says!

After the death of Moses, Joshua was appointed as the next leader of Israel, which had to be a daunting task. In Joshua 1:17-18, the people said to their new leader, “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.” This had to be very encouraging to Joshua! And what makes these words so notable, is God had already said most of these things to the man! When we speak as God speaks, it is then that we can offer the best encouragement.

In Matthew chapter four we read about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. There is an important lesson found in Satan’s second attempt. After the first temptation, Jesus responded to Satan with an “It is written…” and a quotation from Scripture. Even if we aren’t surprised one victory didn’t thwart Satan, we might be surprised by how he responds. In verse six Satan says, “if you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” That’s right—Satan quoted the Bible!

So what does this teach us? It reminds us that just because someone uses a verse from the Bible doesn’t mean they teach truth. Scripture can be misused and twisted. So, we must be diligent to study and know the Bible so we aren’t fooled by those who twist Scripture.

Titus chapter one contains a list of qualifications for men who would be elders in the Lord’s church. According to Titus 1:8, such a man must be “a lover of good.” That seems to be a generic qualification. What type of “good” is a Christian leader supposed to love? Is he a lover of good things? Good deeds? Good People? Well, yes! The qualification is probably supposed to be an all-encompassing one.

A spiritually mature Christian should love good things. The world is often allured by carnal or evil things, but the Christian should train the mind to love good, holy things. And a Christian should love good deeds. What types of things do you love to do? Sinful things? Or maybe things that aren’t sinful, but aren’t righteous either? We should develop a love for doing holy things. And we should love good people. Do you respect worldly, sinful people, or good, godly people more? Are you a lover of good?

The first chapter of Proverbs contains several warnings against forms of foolishness. In verse 32 the Bible says, “For the faithlessness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.” There are certain ways in which being simple or naïve might be acceptable. But regarding listening to and obeying God, simplicity and naivety may be forms of foolishness, for they lead to ignorance.

Now, Proverbs isn’t just being harsh about ignorance. These strong words are aimed at the cause of ignorance. It is complacency that causes one to be a fool. We all have more to learn about God’s Word. But could it be that we are ignorant of many Biblical truths because we are complacent? Could it be we are content with Biblical naivety and simple-mindedness? If so, then we are indeed foolish. God has provided His Word so that we might learn His way and be saved. Don’t be lost because of spiritual complacency.

The night Jesus was betrayed, He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He took Peter, James, and John with Him, but the three men couldn’t stay awake. Multiple times Jesus found them asleep instead of watching and praying. In Mark 14:41 He said, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” We might sympathize with the three sleepy disciples. Surely, they’d endured a long day, and their tiredness is understandable. But have you ever considered that while the disciples were too sleepy to do what was good, Judas had enough energy to betray Jesus?

Sometimes we claim to be too tired or weary to do good and righteous things, but somehow have the energy to do carnal, worldly things. Perhaps Jesus’ question, “are you still sleeping?” is an apt question for our spiritual condition.