Discontent Christians

Discontent Christians

There seems to be an ever increasing sense of discontentment among church attenders these days. If you were to question the reason for this, many different replies would be given.

Some would say it’s the music: It’s either too contemporary or traditional.

Some would say it’s the preaching: It’s boring, too loud, too long, too hard, too old school or too progressive.

Some would say it’s the lack of programs for the youth.

Some say it’s the church size: It’s either too small or too large. When it’s too small, everyone knows your business; when it’s too large, no one knows you at all.

Some say that the church is just too dead.

I get the feeling that most people conclude their lack of contentment to always be the fault of someone else. We usually look for someone to blame for the way we feel. Very few people look inward.

While all these areas may be legitimate concerns, I believe that there is often a deeper underlying cause. I would like to suggest that the problem of discontentment that many have is due to the fact that they have tried everything the church has to offer except Jesus. The truth is that many church attenders have accepted the devil's substitutes for real contentment.

One of Satan’s main substitutes for contentment is self-pacification. As long as you get what you want all of the time, you will be content. Well, here’s a reality check: The church does not exist for your personal contentment; it exists for Jesus. Furthermore, true happiness does not come from what’s going on around you; it comes from what’s going on inside you.

There are no substitutes for time with Jesus. For the branch that desires to live, there is no substitute for the vine. For the child of God who desires to flourish, Jesus says to them, "I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit" (Jn 15:5). You cannot live apart from a close and intimate connection with Jesus. He is your joy, your peace, your satisfaction and everything good in your life.

The song of many church members is “I can’t get no satisfaction. I’ve tried and I’ve tried!” The reason for this is that they are trying to find it from the wrong vine. They thought those old sermon tapes would do the job. From there, they read the latest book from their favorite Christian author. They thought that would do it. They even thought the Sunday worship service would bring them contentment; but not even the church service can be a substitute for your personal time with the Lord. You cannot make up for in one service what you've failed to accomplish with Jesus all week.

The tree is still known by its fruit. The fruit still reveals what vine the branch is connected to. Your contentment level is an indicator of just how connected to Jesus you really are. One sermon title that I heard growing up was called “On the Vine, or in the Vine.” You can be on the Vine and wither up and die. However, when you are abiding in Jesus, His life is being imparted daily into your soul. There is no discontentment in Him.

Get back to your life source; for “in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

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I get the feeling that most people conclude their lack of contentment to always be the fault of someone else. We usually look for someone to blame for the way we feel. Very few people look inward.

Good opening post. You make several very valid points within it.

However, I would also put forth another one that I see as perhaps central.

It is purely reflective of the total consumer orientation we have in our society.

Most people go and sample a church the way they would a buffet line. If they don't especially like what is being served up, for whatever reason, they just head on to the next spiritual buffet line. They will also make sure the leadership of that church knows that they were dissatisfied with the offerings and that is why they are leaving.

In essence a great many church attenders come to GET and not to GIVE. They are looking to have their ears tickled, fleshy desires affirmed, and spiritual itches scratched. They are not looking to pray for the leadership, pray with the hurting, help the needy, visit the sick, witness to the lost, be faithful, loyal, etc. They are looking to GET not GIVE. If they don't get what they think they need or want then they head on up the street and pressure someone else until they do.

That is what I have seen in my experience. To which I always feel compelled to reply, "Grow up you big spiritual baby!" We have churches full of folks that have been in spiritual diapers for some 40+ years!

Absolutely!

Absolutely!

This is a great topic!

I think that it is extremely important for believers to understand what it means to be content in Christ. As you said, it is very different from "self-pacification" or even laziness (spiritual, mental or physical).

Paul's exhortation about contentment in Philippians chapter 4 is often neglected. There are many "prosperity" preachers that really need to look at those verses with complete honesty.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-14 (King James Version)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: 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.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-14 (New American Standard)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-14 (New International Version)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Paul talks about being "content" in all things and in all circumstances. Now, there is obviously a spiritual discontentment when we long to see the Lord move in our own lives, the lives of those in our families, the lives of those in the Church and the lives of those living in darkness.

Yet, even this sort of discontentment *can* serve as a distraction from finding joy in the Lord. We can focus so much on what is found lacking or found wanting that we are distracted from the greatest thing in our lives -- spending intimate and non-distracted time in the presence of God!

In a way, such distractions can cause us to "not see the forest for the trees." In other words, we become unaware of the way that God is moving because we are so focused upon where He is not (apparently) moving. As a result, we sometimes try to become catalysts for a move of God in ways (spiritual or fleshly) that aren't needed lest we rob God of the total glory when He does move as we seek (and think that it had something to do with self or something we did).

In the "natural" things of life, we can lose that contentment when we become desperate for more than what God has given us. While we should be mindful of our needs (and, especially, the needs of the families, neighbors and household of faith), we must learn to truly be thankful for what we have and truly be content with what He has given at any particular time.

After all, "grace" isn't just a token prayer we say before meals. It is truly being thankful for the grace that God has shown us as we accept what He has provided of His own will.

Sometimes, we become one of those "Martha" characters who feel a need to clean when we really need to choose what is best -- to sit at the feet of Jesus and enjoy His presence! This is a great example of true contentment. We have Jesus -- and He is enough!

This works in every aspect of our lives.

Recently, I was struggling in prayer over some members of my family, extended family and friends. I was praying intently...desperately...and truly agonizing over situations in some lives. It truly became distracting. At the same time, I was deeply discouraged by the rapid descent by which America seems to have tumbled. The rise of ungodliness, sinfulness and the acceptance of such sinfulness and complacency (an almost "given up" attitude) by the populace -- and even some Christians -- caused me to almost despair.

However, I was suddenly struck by the realization that God is in control. I can't control God with my prayers. I can bring petitions before Him, but I must submit my intellect, knowledge and even faithfulness before His greatness. After all, the end -- and God's work -- will still come. I can no more cause, change or alter this than cause the Sun to rise in the morning.

It is a perspective about contentment. Paul spoke of "contentment" at a time when believers were being persecuted. He hungered. He was in need. He was beaten, abused and lied about. People that he knew had abandoned the faith. Yet, through all of this, Paul learned to be content. What an awesome thought!

I am grateful that we can find "joy unspeakable and full of glory" (I Peter 1:8) even while suffering (I Peter 1:6) and living as an exile or scattered "stranger" for Christ (I Peter 1:1).

Thanks for sharing, brother!

Perhaps it for the following reasons:

1) There is no strong biblical leadership.
- perhaps in some cases the Pastor is a 'Yes' and people pleaser and is not able to confront and deal with sin in the church and prefers to please people, saying one thing to one group about doing something about a situation and then another to another group.

2) The leader feels he doesn't need to be accountable to anyone

3) The leader refuses to listen to serious concerns raised by elders

4) Unbiblical things are happening in your church

5) Sin is not confronted or dealt with among members and remains to fester

I must admit I do not understand how one on hand the people on this board, for the most part push raising the standard of a pursuit of a passionate and genuine relationship with Jesus. That standard involves searching and living by Biblical Truth & holiness - so when people applying these new standards they have in their own lives, which includes looking very carefully at the current church they attend, then suddenly a large number of individuals on this board jump on their case for being judgemental & how the plank is in their eye. What?

These same individuals preach on here about how we are in the last days and need to keep a check on everything...but then tell people who are not happy in church (for serious reasons), that they are judgemental.

This is a double standard.

If you are involved in a church, where you feel by your own conscience and through the Holy Spirit, that you are under unbiblical leadership, attempts have been made to deal with this and still nothing is done, then GET OUT!

Bad company corrupts. If the leader has his heart set on selfish, unfruitful and unbiblical purposes then GET OUT!
RUN, RUN , RUN! Like the sons of Korah!

There is no evidence in the Bible in submitting under unbiblical leadership or in a church that is associated with unbiblical and self/flesh promoting stuff. GET OUT!

If anything, develop a fear of God about the company you keep and who you submit under. We are VERY careful about our time and our money. Where does it go? We will be held to account for all it! If you attend a church, you really should contribute financially to it, BUT If you are under questionable leadership in a questionable church, then should you really give money to them? I just cannot in good conscience do this!

I believe that it is better to be around a few like minded individuals who love the Lord passionately, hold to biblical truth and are humble and teachable.

We are living in the end times people! Don't attend a church that is questionable, GET OUT! Do we really think we won't be held accountable for attending these places?

If you are feeling discontent, there may well be a reason why. Check your spirit as to why? Perhaps it is not discontentment it may well be the Holy Spirit making you feel uncomfortable for a good reason. If you have solid, good insight and discernment as to why, you don't need to stick around, get out!

I feel that too often on this forum, discontentment, is purposively confused with the Spirit causing you to feel uncomfortable in a church, which then you don't do anything about, which leds to the bad fruit of being discontent and then people think that because you feel discontent you are acting in a sinful manner & therefore make the silly inference that they should stay in the church, because people on this board tell them that being discontent in their church is a sign they should stay.

Has anyone thought that the discontentment is because they are not obeying the Spirit to leave the church in the first place?

Ask yourself the question:
What is causing you to be discontent, is it because you are not obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit to leave the church?

"Perhaps it for the following reasons:1) There is no strong biblical leadership."

There are truly many different reasons for discontented believers. The reasons you listed are a real possibility. I did not write this article to cover the entire spectrum of problems related to discontentment. I wrote it because in my experience, the problem seems to be greatly related to the lack of personal relationship and intimacy with Jesus.