Complaining often feels like a natural response to life’s challenges.
When things don’t go as planned, our human instinct tends to focus on what’s wrong rather than trusting in what could go right.
But the Bible paints a different picture—one where gratitude and faith replace grumbling and discontentment.
Complaining is more than just venting frustrations; it reflects the posture of our hearts and our trust (or lack thereof) in God’s sovereignty.
Through Scripture, we see the consequences of a complaining spirit, but we also find the antidote in the form of thanksgiving and reliance on God.
These 30 verses highlight the pitfalls of complaining while encouraging us to adopt a heart of gratitude and trust.
Whether it’s a moment of frustration or a season of difficulty, these passages guide us toward a mindset that honors God and brings peace to our souls.
Bible Verses About Complaining
1. Philippians 2:14
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.”
2. 1 Corinthians 10:10
“And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.”
3. James 5:9
“Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”
4. Psalm 142:2
“I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.”
5. Exodus 16:8
“Moses also said, ‘You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.’”
6. Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
7. Numbers 11:1
“Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.”
8. Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
9. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
10. Lamentations 3:39
“Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?”
11. Exodus 14:11
“They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?’”
12. Isaiah 29:24
“Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.”
13. Numbers 14:27
“How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites.”
14. Job 7:11
“Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
15. Matthew 20:11
“When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.”
16. Jude 1:16
“These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.”
17. Psalm 106:25
“They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the Lord.”
18. Proverbs 19:3
“A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.”
19. Luke 15:28
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.”
20. Ecclesiastes 7:9
“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
21. Exodus 15:24
“So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What are we to drink?'”
22. Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
23. James 5:11
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
24. Proverbs 21:19
“Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.”
25. Psalm 37:8
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
26. 1 Peter 4:9
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
27. Isaiah 40:29
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
28. Proverbs 18:21
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
29. Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
30. Hebrews 12:15
“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Complaining
The Bible speaks powerfully about the impact of complaining, offering wisdom and guidance to transform our grumbling into gratitude.
Complaints often stem from fear, frustration, or a lack of trust in God’s plans.
However, Scripture calls us to shift our focus from what we lack to what we’ve been given, recognizing God’s faithfulness and provision in every circumstance.
Through these 30 verses, we see the dangers of a complaining spirit and the blessings that come from cultivating gratitude and faith.
Complaining blinds us to God’s blessings hinders our relationships, and prevents spiritual growth.
But by choosing thanksgiving, we align our hearts with His will, experiencing peace, joy, and deeper intimacy with Him.
As you reflect on these verses, consider how you can replace complaints with praise and trust in God’s plan.
Let His Word inspire you to approach life with gratitude, turning challenges into opportunities to glorify Him.
A heart of thankfulness not only honors God but also transforms the way we experience His blessings each day.