The Sin of Dissatisfaction

by Dave Brown

Dissatisfaction is not a sin per se. Indeed we all need to be dissatisfied over our lack of zeal for the Lord’s work, and for not overcoming those sins that tend to plague us the most. It is what we are dissatisfied over that is the key. Dissatisfaction is the motivation for many if not most sins. Consider for examples:

Adam and Eve were dissatisfied with a life without care in the garden, and they gave it all up and chose to believe the lie that they would be as God: “in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).

The Children of Israel were dissatisfied with being freed from their slavery and murmured to the point of expressing their desire to go back to Egypt where they had what they thought was better food and drink (Exodus 16:2).

Korah, Dathan and Abiram were dissatisfied with their positions of leadership and desired to usurp the authority of Moses (Numbers 16:1-3); this type of dissatisfaction was also the problem with Diotrephes (3 John 9) and others in the first century church, as it is in the church today.

When we stop to think about it, is not all sin caused by dissatisfaction? It might be dissatisfaction with what we have—not being thankful for what God has given us. Or, it could be dissatisfaction with God’s law for us, which He gave us to make us truly happy and to give us peace (Psalms 1; Matthew 5:1-16, 6:25-34; 11:30).

Adultery is dissatisfaction with our lawful God-given mate. Theft is dissatisfaction with what we have (which in many cases amounts to extreme wealth compared to what most have in this world). A failure to attend services in worship to God is dissatisfaction with the 160 or so other hours that God has given us in a week. A failure to give is dissatisfaction with the other 90% (or so) of the remainder of what God has given to us. Complaining about our lot in life is basically being dissatisfied with the life that God has given to us.

In Philippians 4:11, Paul stated it this way: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” This is something that Paul had to (and we have to) learn … it does not come naturally, although it is probably much easier for some than for others. But Paul stated that he learned it. At one point in his life he was not satisfied with serving a man who had died on a cross. Jesus told Nicodemus of Paul: “… for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake” (Acts 9:16). The sufferings of Paul go beyond anything that we have encountered, but he learned to be content, and so can we. It was through suffering that Paul learned how to be content (2 Corinthians 12:1-10).

What is the first step? Be thankful. Can you be discontented and thankful at the same time? Perhaps, but if you are truly thankful for your life and for what God has given you, it will be extremely difficult to be discontented. And, if we are not discontented, our tendency toward sin will be greatly reduced.

 

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