Murmuring = (Greek) The low constant sound of a running brook; The cooing of doves; The contented sounds of a baby; To grumble in low tones (as the cooing of doves) to oneself or secretly to others; To confer together in a secretive manner about matters of discontent; A secret debate in quarrelsome discontent.

Probably no single sin is mentioned more in the Bible, than the sin of "murmuring". The sin of murmuring is not always designated as such, BUT the effect of the sin, whether called murmuring or not, is still the same.

In this phase of our study, our major concern is not with general murmurings about the conditions of life. Our concern is with murmurings about Spiritual matters, and their effect on the Spiritual life of the murmurer and the lives of those to whom the murmurer murmurs.

Quite often, the chronic murmurer will have the exterior look of a very spiritual person. These murmurers do religious things, act in religious ways and speak religious phrases, so as to possibly:

(1) Compensate for the dark cloud of murmuring within their own lives.
(2) Hide the reality of such a sin from the view of others.
(3) Gain a following for their cause, so murmuring can become a campaign to achieve personal goals or revenge.

As observers of and sometimes participants in this sinful phenomenon of murmuring, we NEED to understand that NO amount of good deeds, or even great sacrifices will compensate for the internal and external destructiveness of this sin of murmuring. Look at what the Holy Spirit had to say about this subject of internal vs. external in...

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

The sin of murmuring or any one of it many "faces" is the opposite of Divine or Spiritual love. Most of us are familiar with at least the first part of 1 Corinthians 13 . Therefore, we will not spend a great deal of time in the passage, except to point out the obvious. These obvious facts are so soon forgotten, or deliberately ignored.

The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul makes it abundantly clear that a person can look like or even look better than a good Christian on the outside, BUT if the Spiritual quality is not on the inside, then the exterior look of religiousosity is less than beneficial to the person, or the Body of Christ.

Notice the areas of Spiritual demonstration covered by the Holy Spirit in this passage:

1. The public ministry, itself (though I speak)
2. The research, teaching and leadership of the ministry (though I have the gift, etc.)
3. The demonstration of Spiritual power associated with the ministry (though I have faith to remove mountains)
4. The personal sacrifice for the ministry (though I give of my things and my very life)

You know, most churches would "kill" to have someone with those qualities as their leader. Yet, those qualities, alone, "DO NOT a Spiritual leader make".

As wise stewards of the life and gospel of Christ, we need to have a Biblical standard of evaluating the Spiritual quality of our life and others. Christians, in general, are so shallow Spiritually!!!! So many have the diabolical concept that if a person has money, status, and things then it is an obvious confirmation of their Spiritual worth; OR if a person can say the "right" things that "smack" of high religious rhetoric then they must be living a life of dedication to the Word of God; OR if a person gives to others and is willing to sacrifice their own life and living then they must be fully dedicated to God and His purpose.

All of those things
CAN BE
an indication of
gross carnality and total self-centeredness.

Notice the divine opinion of these outward evidences when generated from internal motives other than love.

1. To speak without love = "sounding brass and a clanging cymbals".
2. To assume the position of Spiritual leadership without love = "Nothingness".
3. To give to and serve others without love = "No profit".

There is nothing wrong with possessing any or all of the above qualities. As a matter of fact, these are VERY good qualities to have. BUT those external demonstrations MUST emanate from internal qualities that are pure and free from self-elevation and personal vindictiveness.

If our external actions are not free from the motivation of self-elevation and personal vindictiveness, then the Word of God is clear that those actions are not Divine, BUT demonic.

Folks, that is a strong statement, BUT it is way past time for the Church to allow God to purify us, and then we need to get down to the business of real Spiritual living rather than a warmed-over demonstration of worldly living and standards.

This "little sin" of Biblical murmuring has been ignored, tolerated and even encouraged by the established church far too long. It is time for judgment to begin in the "House of God". It is time that we carefully examine and accept what God has to say about this "respectable" sin.

The best way.., YES, the only way of knowing what God says about this sin, is to examine thoroughly the Word of God on this subject. The problem in doing so, is that it is hard to go anywhere in the Bible without finding references to the act and results of murmuring.

A thorough public study of this subject would take more than a full year of lessons. So, instead of doing a complete public study, I want to lay out, in summary form, the overall teaching on the subject. I realize that some will think that this summary must be more than a complete study, but I'm here to tell you, it will only scratch the surface.

We see the act and some of the results of Biblical murmuring early in the history of mankind. The English word of "murmuring" is not used in many of the Biblical examples, BUT the fact, reality and results of those accounts give evidence to actions of murmuring.

Please, understand that murmuring is not a "stand-alone" sin. It is always practiced in combination with other sins. In like manner, very few sins are committed without collusion with other sins.

Lying is very seldom, if ever, just a lie. Lying is used to cover up other sins, or because of anger etc. Likewise with murmuring. Murmuring is a result of a combination of internal and external sins, AND each act of murmuring involves different combinations of sins.

Let's look at some of the recorded results of one of the earliest incidents of murmuring.

Genesis 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man from the LORD." 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose against Abel his brother and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" 10 And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. 11 "So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

There is no specific order of events that will cause murmuring, but there are many things or combination of things that bring about the sin of murmuring. There will always be one or more of the following involved in murmuring: disobedience; the sense that they didn't get their fair share; total occupation with self and personal happenings or troubles; blaming others; self-justification; etc.

I have summarized many of the "causes" of murmuring and have designated three of the main causes as:

1. Selfish discontent
2. Absence of true thankfulness
3. To be added later in the study

Cain did not act in a manner acceptable to God. This is one of the main factors in all of these illustrations. Our actions should be directed by what God says and thinks, NOT what humans say and think. God said, forgive others as I forgive you. God said, don't allow corrupt communication to come out of your mouth. God said, put away bitterness, wrath, anger clamor, etc.

Are you doing what 
God said, 
or are you acting in the 
same manner 
as the Israelites in the wilderness?

Instead of accepting what God said, Cain felt that he was right and God was wrong. Those were not his words, but his actions demonstrated this fact, and these are some of the underlying causes of all murmurings.

Instead, of seeking to please God with his actions and attitudes, Cain wanted God to please him by accepting his improper actions. Cain became angry, felt sorry for himself, and set out to correct the problem according to his own feelings and purpose.

Cain's solution to the problem was of the same type as many of our solutions to similar problems. Cain wanted to remove the source of irritation and conviction, RATHER than to personally change so the source would become a blessing instead of an irritation, and so the conviction could be replaced with obedience to God and acceptance and respect from God.

Instead, Cain continued in his own way, and deliberately walked away from the clear revealed Word of God. By the way, Cain said that it was God's fault that he could no longer be in God's presence. Cain NEVER accepted the responsibility for his own actions. Therefore, Cain, those associated with him, and all who would follow him, suffered the consequences of such selfish motivation.

When we are in a state of murmuring, our selfish motivation and self-pity are so strong that we do not care or think about God's will, OR the results of our actions on others, including our children. Instead, our lives are lived for the moment, for getting our way, and involving as many others as possible in the process of murmuring so we can be assured of getting our way.

As you study the subject of Biblical murmuring, you will see those factors in case after case. If you honestly look at your own or a friends murmuring, you will see these same factors rearing their ugly heads. AND sad to say, MOST would rather walk away from the presence of God, as Cain did, rather than to accept forgiveness, and make the needed personal changes.

A murmurer 
wants others to change 
so they can have their own way, 
WITHOUT  
regard for the totality of the Body.

Of course, most believers would not kill someone because of these internal struggles and external actions. However, I fear that, in many cases, the only thing that prevents such murders is the fear of public disgrace and jail. Abstaining from murder, in such cases, certainly is not because of their love for God.

We could spend the rest of this day and several more looking at the lessons from Cain's actions, but we need to move on. For most of our examples of murmuring, we will look to Israel in the wilderness.

We could continue to follow such actions from the conquest of the land, until the time of Christ. We could look at example after example in the Epistles, also. To gain further insights, we will take a peek at some of these other examples and instructions, but our main examples will come from Israel in the wilderness.

Exodus 13:17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you." 20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. 14:1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

You remember the story. God brought the plagues on Egypt, and the final plague, the Passover, convinced Pharaoh and all of Egypt to let Israel go. It is at that point the passage in Exodus 13:17-14 :1 begins.

We need to see several facts, so the import of their murmuring and the results can be clearly seen. Notice, over and over again in this passage, it states that their location and their circumstances were at the direction of God.

1. v.17 "God did not lead by the way of the land of the Philistines.."
2. v.18 "So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea.."
3. v.21 "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light.."
4. v.14:1 "Now the Lord spoke to Moses.."
5. All of these events happened by the word and will of God

It is important to see the facts in this account and the accounts to follow. If they were there by the direct intervention and will of God, THEN any complaints should have been taken directly to God.

1 Corinthians 10:9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor murmur, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

If God allowed the circumstance, then God had a purpose and a way of escape so they could bear the test. Instead of going to God for their way of escape, they turned against God, tempted Christ and murmured. We'll pick-up the story line in a few minutes, but let's go back to the divine commentary of 1 Corinthians 10 .

We looked at this passage a few lessons ago. I trust the passage continues to take on greater and greater meaning as we see it in relationship to its context. Please note that the well quoted v.13 is in the context of the murmuring of Israel in the wilderness.

Certainly, the truth of v.13 applies to all tests within the Christian life. However, the primary application of v.13 is to the temptation of murmuring. This sin is truly common and universal to all humans.

I pointed our earlier that the sin of murmuring is not a "stand alone" sin. Murmuring is practiced in combination with other sins, and it is pretty hard to separate one from the others. I'm not sure that it is possible to give murmuring a separate sin classification all of it own.

Here in 1 Corinthians 10 there are several sins of like nature that band together to cause, or to be demonstrated in murmuring. Look at a little of the context on both sides of this passage. Look back to the beginning of this chapter

1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;

Now let's look at some of the context that follows.

1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, being many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. 18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

We didn't look at all the sins mentioned here, but this whole bundle of sins are all tied together with murmuring.

1 Corinthians 10:9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor murmur, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall

Saying that all these sins are tied together by murmuring is not really a good description. I don't know how to best picture this truth. Possibly, it would make it clearer to think of all these sins as a piece of cloth, and one of the threads moving in and out to make the pattern is the thread of murmuring.

However you think of it, you can't have one without the other. Murmuring against God leads to all kinds of sins, OR possibly practicing all kinds of sins leads to murmuring. Let's go back and observe our example in the wilderness.

Exodus 13:17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you." 20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. 14:1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

We established that the Israelites were at the Red Sea by God's appointment and leading. That is clearly seen in Exodus 13:17-14 :1. The question might be asked, "If God led and allowed them to be here, WHY didn't they trust Christ to get them out this mess?"

Well, we also established from 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 that the tests or temptations in our lives are there because God allowed them to be there so that we could bear them. So the question might well be ask of us, "If God allowed the test, WHY don't we trust Him for the way of escape?"

Let's go back to Exodus and see the reaction of the Israelites, and I think we will see some parallels to some of our own reactions when under pressure.

Exodus 14:1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea. 3 "For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, 'They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.' 4 "Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD." And they did so.

God was very honest with the people. He told them just what was going to happen. Not only did God tell them what was going to happen, He told them why it was going to happen. Earlier we saw one of the reasons that God brought them to the Red Sea, instead of taking them another way. The first reason was for their benefit.

Exodus 13:17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."

Not only was this path of travel for the benefit of the people, it was also so the Egyptians would truly know that God was really God. Being the Spiritual giants that we are, IF we had been the Israelites at the Red Sea, we would had said, "God, my greatest desire is for You to be honored. Whatever it requires of me for that honor to be Yours...bring it on!!!"

That's what we would have said, right?!? After all, God laid it out, in His Own words, exactly what was going to happen and why it was going to happen. Therefore, we know it was God's will, and we know that God uses all things for our ultimate good.

It was His purpose and His will. Therefore, IF we had been at the Red Sea, we would have said, "Your will be done." I'm sure that God is glad to hear our resolve, because the Holy Spirit has made many things quite clear, in His Own words that He wants us to do. Therefore, we will follow those words with all our heart and soul.., right?!??

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. 5:1 Therefore be followers of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Maybe IF we were at the Red Sea, and Ephesians 4:29-5:2 was the command of God, we would have followed it with quick ready resolve. However, when we are at home, church, work, or elsewhere we find it most difficult to respond in any better manner than the Israelites.

God led them, He guided them, He directed their way and told them what Pharaoh would do, AND why Pharaoh would do it. Therefore, they should have been resting in the integrity of God's purpose, power, plan and person.

Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew near, (just like God said he would) the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.

God never condemned the people for being afraid, and the first place they went with their fear was the right place. They went to God, and cried out.

Pressure will either drive us 
to 
God's side, or will drive us 
from 
God's presence.

The people cried out to the Lord, BUT their trust and confidence was not in God or His word. God said the events that were taking place were for His Glory, and God had given the people this information in advance of the events.

The people went to the Lord. If they had stayed there and found their assurance in Him, they could have had great comfort, and would have gained strength for the next battle.

Their attention and affection were not turned to God for very long. Instead, their attention and anger were turned toward Moses.

Exodus 14:11 Then they said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 "Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?' For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness."

Notice something very strange. NOT once did they acknowledge that it was God Who brought them up out of Egypt!

Blame blinds us to reality.  
Blame blinds us to God.  
Blame distorts facts.  
Blame causes us to believe the distorted facts.

The people gave Moses credit or blame for bringing them out of Egypt. That was a compliment to Moses, in a back-handed sort of way. They must have thought Moses was some kind of a super star, to be able to single-handedly overcome the most powerful nation of that day.

Even worse than giving Moses credit, they totally lost sight of God!! We will see that this is one of the most devastating results of murmuring.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

Psalms 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 20 The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy.

Wouldn't it have been a wonderful story, IF the people had known and followed those two passages? Well my friend, we do have these two passages, and we do know them. So the question is, will you do as the Israelites did, or will your life's story be different because you truly applied and lived in God's commands?

Exodus 14:11 Then they said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 "Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?' For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness."

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 "The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

God's grace always amazes me!! If I had been planning the rescue of someone from slavery for 400 years... If I had spent my time and energy doing all those miracles and literally changing the world.. ONLY to have those "rescued" people give credit to someone else for my work. I might not have been as Gracious as God.

If I had been God, I probably would have said, "You want to give Moses credit for what I did. OK!! Now let's see if Moses can get you out of this mess."

But then, I'm not God.

Psalms 103:7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

"Do not be afraid.  
Stand still and see the salvation of the  LORD,  
which He will accomplish for you today."