TOPIC:  EVILS IN MURMURING

TEXT:  1 Cor 10:10“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer”.

BIBLE REFS: Phil 2:14; Jude 16

INTRODUCTION

Murmuring in literal sense is a soft low sound, a quiet voice made by heart which may show illness or Private complaint. A continuous indistinct sound, often accompanied by movement of the upper lip without the production of articulate speech. It is a condition which leads to noisy or turbulent reaction of complaint, discontentment and protest.

Scripturally the Greek word with the root ‘goguzo’ means to grumble or mutter sound in subdued or Resentment. The attitudes and actions of murmurers are regarded as unbecoming of the children of God as it portrays unbelief, rejection and condemning the Almighty. This common but despicable attitude carries dreadful dangers, from which God is warning us to desist especially during these hard times, when the whole world is crying under the yoke of Corona pandemic and where the life order of Humanity is in disarray.

HOW GOD VIEWS MURMURING

God views murmuring as sin unto Himself which is very abhorring: Exod 16:8, Num 14:27-29,

Deut 1:27. To God, murmuring is:

1. Disbelieving Him – which is idolatry

2. Discontentment / Dissatisfaction with God

3. Allotting blame or guilt to God.

4. Disagreement with God

5. Anger against God

6. Opposition to God

7. Rebellion to God

Jeremiah Borroughs, a great old theologian wrote that God sees the murmurers today in the Church as (i) Corrupt souls(ii) Wicked men (iii) Rebels (iv) Enemies of Grace(v)Infidels (vi) People that God cannot answer their prayers (vii) Fools.

MURMURING IN THE WILDERNESS

In the journey of the Jews from Egypt to Canaan, one great sin committed by the Israelites against God most is sin of murmuring. They were not spared from the punishment of it.

i. At Marah Exod 15:23-25- Lack of water- God answered their murmuring with ordinance and

warning Vs 25-26.

ii. Between Elim and Sinai Exod 16:2-3- Lack of food- God answered, murmuring Vs 7-9,35.

iii. Wilderness of Sin Exod 17:2-3- Lack of water- God answered but regarded it as temptation V 7

iv. After Sinai Num 11:1-3- Complaints about food (manna)- God answered by giving quails after sending fire to burn them

v. Miriam and Aaron murmured against Moses Num 12:1-16 – Aaron & Moses became leprous.

vi. Wilderness of Paran at the spying of Canaan Land Num 13 & 14:1- Disbelieved & doubted God- God decided that none of them will enter the land of Canaan. He turned 40 days became 40 years

of journey to Canaan.

vii. Korah, Dathan, Abiram & On murmured against Moses Num 16:1-33 – The ground swallowed them

& their family Vs 31-33; Fire consumed 250 men V 35 and plague killed 14,700 men V49.

What are you passing through now? What is that unpleasant situation that is causing bitterness of mind and murmuring in your heart?

MURMURING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

In the New Testament, the Pharisees and the Scribes were perennial murmurers against Jesus and His Ministry Lk 5:30; 15:2; 19:7 because of their unbelief. They received damnation for this purpose. Matt 23:13-29.

Apostle PAUL warned the Church of his time very sternly on this 1 Cor 10:10 “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer”. In the New Testamentthe Apostles warned against the evils in murmuring unequivocally. Apostle Paul grouped murmuringwith sins of Idolatry, Fornication, Tempting God and rebellion 1 Cor. 10:7-10. Hence, he warnedagainst falling into this easily besetting and consuming sin V 11-12.

Also, Apostle JUDE presented the analogy of what murmuring entails.Jude1: 16 “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage”

i. Who are the Murmurers? Jude V10 “But these speak evil of those things which they know not : but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves”

ii. What are they like? Jude V12,13 “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you , feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose  fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame ; wandering stars , to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever”

iii. What is their end? Jude V11,15 “Woe unto them !for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

THE INHERENT DANGERS

To sum up the dangers of murmuring as afore mentioned, murmuring provokes the wrath of God with all its attendant perditions of Body, spirit and soul. Spirit of murmuring is satanic and ends in hell fire, in addition to unrepairable damages on earth. It breeds hatred, negates love and forgiveness and provides ground for Satan to let lose all his hellish attributes. It endangers health of its victims, leads to error and eventual death of the body and spirit.

Instead of murmuring, why not speak out, seek knowledge and enlightenment, pray, have strong faith. Ask for meek, enduring and persevering spirit. Have bold and courageous spirit to overcome even the greatest problems and the highest mountains. Do not see or attribute any problem to any Human/authority/institution/Leaders even your partners but take problems as challenges to rise and be joyful always Phil 4:4.

CONCLUSION

During this trying period of global pandemic almost everything calls for anger, resentment to serious murmuring in all facets of life. However, let all believers in Christ avoid apportioning blames, acrimony, that can promote tension. At homestead, at working place and business place, in the church, with friends and relatives, with leaders of the Nation etc; let us shun murmuring. It leads to aggravation of existing problems rather than proffering solution. Let us rather be penitent, exhibit spirit of understanding, forgiveness, love, meekness and tolerance of all people as taught by Christ Matt 11:29.

Remember, Do all things without murmuring of disputings Phil 2:14. This is the will of God for Heaven bound Christians Heb. 12:14.

May God give us power over the demonic spirit of murmuring in Jesus Name (Amen)