Philippians 2:14 NLT
Do everything without complaining and arguing.

I want you to try and imagine the scene and context described below.

Exodus 16:2-3 NLT
There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”

God had just rescued the Israelites from over 400 years of misery, bondage and slavery, with mighty demonstration of power and miracles! He rained down plagues on the Egyptian oppressors, freed these folks, parted the Red Sea, led them through it as though it were dry land, brought them to the wilderness and was leading them Himself in the form of a pillar of fire and cloud. Their clothes never faded, their shoes never wore out!! And guess what they were complaining about! That they didn’t get exquisite cuisine for their journey to Canaan.

Do you see what murmuring really is?

It really didn’t please the heart of God, and it was counted as a grave sin. As a result God didn’t allow even a single one of the murmuring generation to enter into the promised land of Canaan.

What is Murmuring?

Murmuring is unlike open rebellion against or backsliding from God. Murmuring is the habit of complaining and questioning every bit and detail of your life that is in God’s hands.

Why is it so serious?

Jude 1:16 NLT
These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want.

Murmuring happens as a result of being selfish. It begins in our hearts, as our mind continually dwells on ourselves and ourselves and ourselves alone!

Most other times, it is an expression of faithlessness and lack of trust in a promise fulfilling and a righteous God!

Relating to God with questions and throwing dares at Him has never helped and will never work either! However, those who come to Him through faith and trust, have always been rewarded.

Hebrews 11:6 NLT
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

When is it OK to do it?

Absolutely never! Murmuring is not a sin only when expressed against God. It is equally bad a problem when it is expressed in horizontal relationships with other human beings.

James 5:9 NLT
Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look-the Judge is standing at the door!

God has taught us to pursue a culture of love. In a culture of love, we confront and correct, not grumble and murmur behind backs. This is applicable to you, mostly in your relationship with your leader or your boss. You can be vocal about your disagreement and difference of opinions, doing so in love.

Where did it begin?

Do you know who was the first one to murmur? Check this out:

Isaiah 14:12-14 NLT
For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’

This scripture refers to Lucifer, who later became satan. Why did God cast him down from heaven? Because he began to murmur with the same heart he was called to worship and bring praise to God!

When you indulge in murmuring, you are joining alongside satan and his entire team of professional mutterers, against God! You know what the end holds for satan and his gang, right? Can we differentiate ourselves, and live like people of the light?

How can I avoid it?

Murmuring is the issue of the heart. We cannot overcome murmuring without filling our hearts with the love of God, and having Him overcome our selfish desires and filling our heart with His divine desires. It is essential that you walk closely with the Lord. The one reason Moses and Joshua didn’t complain or murmur throughout their journey in the wilderness was because of their close walk with God.

Here are few things that you could do when you are tempted to complain and murmur.

1. Read the Bible: That will increase faith in you. Faith will overcome doubts and complains. It will teach you to trust in God’s will.
2. Begin to Praise: Fill your mouth with praise, leaving no room for murmuring at all.
3. Confess his Promises: For every trouble and circumstance you have, begin to confess the promises of God.
4. Cling to God: Moses had a different approach to God than the Israelites. He preferred to enjoy the presence of God in the wilderness than enjoying the blessings in Canaan. When we consider the presence of God as the most precious of all things, nothing else will matter or make us murmur.
5. Fellowship in Faith: Hang out with people who are filled with faith than people who are always doubting and complaining. Murmuring, just like faith, is contagious. Surround yourself with people who are trust God unconditionally.

Murmuring is a great misuse of the tongue. Murmuring and praising cannot exist on the same tongue. God has created the tongue to bring praise to His name. Either you will be praising God or you will be complaining against God!

Thank you for joining us on part five of this series. If you have not yet subscribed to this blog, please do so  to receive future posts from Taming Your Tongue. Feel free to leave your comments below.