Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of The LORD
And when The LORD heard it, HIS anger was kindled, and the fire of The LORD burned among them
And consumed some of the outskirts of the camp
Numbers 11:1

Why is an ungrateful heart a destructive spiritual condition of the heart that leads to death? There are many reasons, but we will discuss two in this study.

First, an ungrateful heart is a sinful heart, because it is an unbelieving heart. It is a heart that does not:

• believe in our Beloved LORD GOD (Deu 1:32, Deu 9:23, Zep 3:1-2)
• have confidence that HE can or will deliver (Psa 78:22, Num 13:25-33, Num 14:1-11, Heb 3:19)
• have trust in HIS WORDS (Psa 106:24, 2 Chr 36:15-16, Jer 6:16-19)
• believe that HE is a rewarder of those who seek HIM (Heb 11:6, Mat 7:7-11, Psa 84:11, Rom 8:32)

An ungrateful heart, belongs to a person who does not operate from faith. And when one does not operate from faith, they sin (Rom 14:23); and we know that sin leads to death (Rom 6:23, Jam 1:15).

Second, an ungrateful heart is a heart that finds fault with GOD (Num 14:1-4, Job 9:11-35, Job 10:1-22, Job 32:2, Job 40:1-8, Job 42:1-6). An ungrateful person complains about adversity (Num 11:1) instead of being grateful in all circumstances (1 Thes 5:18). When an ungrateful person continues to find fault with GOD, they will eventually begin to spurn and blaspheme HIM (Num 14:11, Exd 32:4, Neh 9:18, Psa 106:19-22, Rev 16:9-11, Rev 16:21). And their refusal to repent of their ingratitude, will lead them to death and destruction (Isa 1:4-6, Pro 17:10, Pro 27:22, Jer 5:3, Eze 33:11).

How does a complaining tongue reveal an ungrateful heart? An ungrateful heart cannot understand that every moment, every detail and every circumstance in our lives, is part of GOD’s providential working in our lives (Rom 8:28). An ungrateful heart cannot understand that our Beloved GOD has made both the day of prosperity and the day of adversity (Ecc 7:14), causing them to foolishly only accept good times from HIM (Job 2:9-10).

Does a person with an ungrateful heart know GOD? No. Remember that an ungrateful heart is also an unbelieving heart. And an unbelieving heart is a disobedient heart (Jer 7:22-28, Jam 1:22-25).

Are there those who think they know GOD and do not? Yes, there are many who think they do (Mat 7:21-23, Mat 25:1-13, Luk 13:22-27). But acknowledgement of, is not intimacy with (Jam 2:19, Pro 3:32).

How can we be sure that we know HIM? The answer is found in 1 John 2:3-6 as follows:

By this we know that we have come to know HIM
If we keep HIS Commandments
The one who says, “I have come to know HIM,” and does not keep HIS Commandments
Is a liar, and the truth is not in him
But whoever keeps HIS WORD, in him the love of GOD has truly been perfected
By this we know that we are in HIM
The one who says he abides in HIM
Ought himself to walk in the same manner as HE walked

So every Christian has a grateful heart? A very good question, especially when you know that a grateful heart is a believing heart. And you cannot truly be a follower of JESUS CHRIST (a Christian) if you do not live a life that puts complete trust in HIM and HIS WORDS. This is such a perfect opportunity to just stop, take a moment and prayerfully ask our Beloved LORD JESUS “am I indeed living a life of trust in YOU? (2 Cor 13:5); “do I first seek YOUR counsel on matters, or do I trust myself in how I should proceed?” (Pro 3:5-8); “do I do what YOU say, or as I please?” (Luk 6:46); “is my public life as YOUR follower reflect the same one I live privately, and in my innermost thoughts?” (Mat 23:27-28). If you find that you need course correction simply follow HIS instructions from 1 John 1:9:

If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness