Murmuring
The apostle Paul commanded, “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:14-15).
The Lord has always been displeased with those who grumble, complain, and murmur against their brethren. In the above text, “murmuring” is from a word which means “a secret debate… a secret displeasure not openly avowed” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). It carries with it the idea of whispering privately about others, of circulating undertones of discontentment.
Look carefully at Paul’s words. He lets us know that “murmuring” gets in the way of an individual’s light shining. It dims his light. The light he is to be reflecting is that of Christ, but Christ never engaged in murmuring about His brethren.
There are a number of ‘reasons’ (none of which are good) why some who claim to be Christ’s disciples engage in this immature behavior.
Some don’t like a decision that’s been made. Perhaps a men’s business meeting or the elders have decided something ‘unwise’ or contrary to their wishes, so they start to complain to others about the matter. (They are much like those who “murmured against” and criticized the decision of the woman who “wasted” a year of wages on some ointment for Jesus’ head, Mark 14:5, ASV.)
Some don’t know what’s going on. Perhaps they feel that the preacher is ‘riding his hobby horse’ in his sermons… or the elders aren’t seeing to the spiritual discipline of a particular member… or a teacher is too demanding of his students… or a member is missing too many services. And if they would just ask those involved about such, there might be a reasonable explanation for what seems ‘unreasonable’ to them (Acts 11:2-3, 17-18). But this would be too easy. Instead, they are quick to judge… and murmur.
Some don’t respect the elders, deacons, or preacher simply because of the position they hold. They are jealous and envious and, consequently, look for opportunities (through murmuring) to undermine the important tasks these are trying to perform. They are very much like the band of 250 who rose up against Moses and Aaron with the charge, “You take too much upon yourselves” (Numbers 16:3). One day, later perhaps than sooner, they will find out just how “unprofitable” it was for them to inflict such “grief” on their leaders (Hebrews 13:17).
Some are just out-and-out complainers. It’s not that they have an agenda against any person or thing, it’s just that they like to complain and murmur. But this doesn’t make them any more excusable. James said, “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9).
Some haven’t learned to forgive and forget. Some brother or sister ‘sinned against them’ six months ago and they are still talking about it to whoever will listen. But the teaching of Christ tells us to “put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another” (Colossians 3:12,13).
Beloved, let us not involve ourselves, either by speaking or listening, in the sin of murmuring.
--Mike Noble
The Lord has always been displeased with those who grumble, complain, and murmur against their brethren. In the above text, “murmuring” is from a word which means “a secret debate… a secret displeasure not openly avowed” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). It carries with it the idea of whispering privately about others, of circulating undertones of discontentment.
Look carefully at Paul’s words. He lets us know that “murmuring” gets in the way of an individual’s light shining. It dims his light. The light he is to be reflecting is that of Christ, but Christ never engaged in murmuring about His brethren.
There are a number of ‘reasons’ (none of which are good) why some who claim to be Christ’s disciples engage in this immature behavior.
Some don’t like a decision that’s been made. Perhaps a men’s business meeting or the elders have decided something ‘unwise’ or contrary to their wishes, so they start to complain to others about the matter. (They are much like those who “murmured against” and criticized the decision of the woman who “wasted” a year of wages on some ointment for Jesus’ head, Mark 14:5, ASV.)
Some don’t know what’s going on. Perhaps they feel that the preacher is ‘riding his hobby horse’ in his sermons… or the elders aren’t seeing to the spiritual discipline of a particular member… or a teacher is too demanding of his students… or a member is missing too many services. And if they would just ask those involved about such, there might be a reasonable explanation for what seems ‘unreasonable’ to them (Acts 11:2-3, 17-18). But this would be too easy. Instead, they are quick to judge… and murmur.
Some don’t respect the elders, deacons, or preacher simply because of the position they hold. They are jealous and envious and, consequently, look for opportunities (through murmuring) to undermine the important tasks these are trying to perform. They are very much like the band of 250 who rose up against Moses and Aaron with the charge, “You take too much upon yourselves” (Numbers 16:3). One day, later perhaps than sooner, they will find out just how “unprofitable” it was for them to inflict such “grief” on their leaders (Hebrews 13:17).
Some are just out-and-out complainers. It’s not that they have an agenda against any person or thing, it’s just that they like to complain and murmur. But this doesn’t make them any more excusable. James said, “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9).
Some haven’t learned to forgive and forget. Some brother or sister ‘sinned against them’ six months ago and they are still talking about it to whoever will listen. But the teaching of Christ tells us to “put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another” (Colossians 3:12,13).
Beloved, let us not involve ourselves, either by speaking or listening, in the sin of murmuring.
--Mike Noble