Murmuring, Grumbling and Complaining is a Sin

Go here to listen to this message on John424 radio

 https://www.dontperish.com/john-424-radio-audio-page-1.html

Once there use control F and typing Murmuring to find it...

 *********************************************

There is much to be thankful for in the Christian life but unfortunately we all have flesh to contend with while we are still on this earth.  For the follower of Christ there are high commands to learn how to kill that flesh and bring it under submission to obey God's word.  There are many topics in God's Word to teach about and some are very popular but others are often neglected so lets look at one that is not spoken of very often....

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world 
(Phillipians 2:14)

What does murmurings mean? Muttering, a secret displeasure not openly displayed, grumbling, grudging, complaining

 God's Word says we are to do ALL things without murmuring, grumbling, complaining.  That doesn't mean all things that go our way but it means ALL things.

Let's look in the Old Testament and see what happened when God's people murmur, mutter, complain, grumble etc. 
Numbers 11:1-3 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the Lord burnt among them.

Read the rest of Numbers 11 and see how the Israelites were complaining about wanting flesh to eat, thinking about what they used to eat in Egypt (melons, onions, fish etc) and complaining about the manna.  God set them straight and sent them quail....
vs 33 And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague.
Another example of God's people complaining:
And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! (Numbers 14:1-2)
The people were murmuring against the direction that God had chosen for them, given through Moses and AAron; read the rest of Numbers 14 to see what God said about that and did.
We see repeated events of murmuring, complaining, grumbling... 
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. (Numbers 21:5-6)
And we see in Dueteronomy 1:27 they did it yet again:
 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the Lord hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
And what happened:
vs 34-35 And the Lord heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying, Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers.
If those examples aren't enough for you then keep reading through the Old Testament and see more.
The New Testament warns us about what happened and how we, as believers, are not to follow in their example:
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.           (1 Corinthians 10:10-11)

 Also read Romans 1 with a dire warning including being ungrateful.  
The biggest reason why people murmur, complain, grumble is because of selfishness; something isn't going their way, they desire something they don't have, envy, jealousy etc. In America we see much selfishness as this nation is all about 'serving self' and indulging the flesh with people on every corner willing to serve us; drive through food/banking/gas/grocery/laundry/car wash  etc.  You can pick up a phone/tablet or computer and order food and products delivered to houses, entertainment is piped in at the click of a button, lawn care, dog walking, house cleaning etc...and when something is not done right many people loudly complain both verbally and berate them in the public and through social media. When people actually do projects themselves there is usually much grumbling and murmuring about it because it didn't happen exactly the way they wanted, it took too much time or just plain laziness is the cause for not wanting to do it. And let's not forget how much distress the weather causes; when it's summer it's too hot, winter too cold, spring too rainy fall, too chilly and people are not ready for winter etc...it goes on an on. Born from above (John 3:3) followers of Christ are not to partake in this type of negative action but instead be content, not ungrateful.
 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:11-12)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)
Followers of Christ who want to please their Father in heaven will also rejoice, pray continuously and give thanks in everything.  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

 Yes, we live in the flesh and sometimes this life can be very hard but let us learn by the greatest example of all, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who did not have a life of pleasure while in the flesh but instead suffered for the payment of our sins...
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

 And HE has commanded us to be of good cheer:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
So, as believers why would we transgress His commands and partake of murmuring, grumbling, complaining?  That is sinful and not only is that conduct sinful but it also is against the fruits of the spirit Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
How can one be a grumbler/murmurer yet exhibit the fruits of love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, temperence etc at the same time?  God knows all the trials and struggles in your life and you are called in that life so no matter what issues come up, we are to obey His Word.  Don't forget the Israelites who were discontent and unthankful, murmured against God by complaining about the life they had and the trials in it; lest you do the same and be sinning against a Holy God.  
Here are some scriptures of encouragement (there are many more).
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (Psalm 100:1)

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. (Psalm 98:4)

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones (Proverbs 17:22)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:3)

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalm 28:7)
How can you murmur, grumble and complain while following the commands of our Lord?
We have an article on being content and thankful, you can read it HERE.
God be praised
*****************************************

See our resources below that will help you in the biblical faith.

Here is the biblical gospel:
Here is a 10 point biblical test:
Spirit and Truth Teaching Blog
Go here for audio teachings
Go here for video's:




Labels: