The BIBLE VIEW #968 — Murmuring

In This Issue:
Against God’s Anointed
Misery of Murmuring
Do We Dare Murmur?
Danger of Murmuring
Murmuring and Contentment

Volume: 968      July 22, 2024
Theme: Murmuring

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Against God’s Anointed
Bill Brinkworth

God uses men and women for His different purposes.  God has delegated many of the needs of His people to different ministries He knows are paramount.  One such need that God knows is important is to have a shepherd of a local assembly of believers.  That man is called a “pastor” or “preacher”.

Maybe because of jealousy that they are not called to the position of pastoring, or knowing they are not scripturally qualified for such a role of leadership, or perhaps they disagree with how he is performing his ministry, or have the belief they can do a better job than their pastor, many talk against and about their preacher.  What a dangerous mistake they make when they do so.

Throughout the Bible there are examples of how God dealt with those who rose and spoke against God’s man, such as:

  • When Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, Miriam was plagued with leprosy (Num. 12:9-10).
  • When the people of Israel spoke against God and Moses (Num. 21:5-6), God sent fiery serpents to chastise them for their sins.
  • When Korah and over 250 others spoke against Moses and Aaron (Num. 16:2-3), God allowed the earth to swallow Korah and the others up.
  • When children mocked God’s man, Elisha (II Kings 2:22-23), God allowed two she bears to destroy 42 mockers.
  • History tells us that Pontius Pilate, who ordered Jesus’ death, died by suicide.
  • Judas turned against Jesus and became so miserable about what he had done against Jesus that he killed himself (Mat. 27:5).
  • The thief who perished on the cross with Christ spoke against Jesus and did not get saved and go to Heaven.

David would not go against King Saul, even though the King did wrong several times against him.  David’s heart was, “The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed:…” I Samuel 26:11.  David knew it was wrong to oppose God’s man.  However, today, many do not restrain themselves from talking against or doing ill against the leader God has placed over the local church.

The pastor of any church certainly is not perfect.  No one will agree with everything anyone does, let alone the many decisions the local shepherd has to make.  He probably would not agree with all we do, either.  However, he is the leader of the local church that God has for this time and should be obeyed, respected, and encouraged.  Unless scriptural error is involved, God takes him home, or God relocates him, he is to stay the church leader. 

** Murmur: A muttered or subdued grumble or complaint **

Belittling and questioning his ministries does much damage:

  • Murmuring against God’s man is a sin, and sin can only harm one’s life.  One will not be all one can be with any iniquity in one’s life.
  • Murmuring about another’s work for Christ will put one in a position of judging (Mat. 7:1), and that is the Holy Spirit’s job, in most situations, not ours.
  • Complaining about the pastor or any other church leader or facet of the church will only spread discontent among others.  It will sow seeds of discord and, in most cases, will only hinder, not build, the ministry (Proverbs 6:16-19).  Division among members will result when leadership is opposed.
  • Speaking against the pastor or another God-appointed leader could hinder the Holy Spirit of God from working in lives or could bring the wrath of God on violators.
  • Speaking ill against God’s leader will not encourage the pastor to do all he can.  It discourages most pastors, and the body of Christ will surely suffer.
  • When we talk about or question what the pastor is doing (or other church leaders, for that matter), we are negating his authority to the listeners.  If our children hear us roast the preacher after a sermon, it may not be long until the children lose respect for his ministry and do not heed the biblical advice that is delivered from the pulpit or classroom. 

    One day, the parent may wonder why their children are not following what was taught in church from the Bible.  They would never suspect their bad-mouthing of the preacher in their home had taught them that if the parents do not respect the pastor, they do not have to either.
  • Murmuring against the man of God will hinder the effect any ministry has on the neighboring community if any disunity among church members is heard by them.

Aaron and Hur knew a principle about helping the man of God that would encourage and support any pastor today.  They noticed that when Moses’ arms were up while directing a battle, Israel had the victory over the enemy.  When the leader was tired and had no strength to lift his arms, the battle was in the favor of the enemy.  Aaron and Hur made sure their leader’s arms were held high so that they would get the victory.  They physically held up their leader’s arms.

If more people would realize that honoring God’s man is honoring Godand His work and would encourage and help their pastor, more spiritual battles would be won. More pastors would be encouraged.  Lift your leader’s arms, do not force them down!

“If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything!” — My Mother



Misery of Murmuring?
T. Brooks

Every murmurer is their own executioner. 

  • Murmuring vexes the heart. 
  • It wears and tears the heart. 
  • It enrages and inflames the heart. 
  • It also wounds and stabs the heart.

Every murmurer is their own destroyer.  No man is as miserable as the gossiper is.  No man hath such inward gripes and griefs, and bitterness and heaviness as he who complains.  Every murmurer is their own tormentor. 

  • Murmuring is a fire within that will burn up all. 
  • It is an earthquake within that will overturn everything.
  • It is a disease within that will infect all.
  • It is a poison within that will prey upon all.

“The very word murmur, how simple it is.  It is comprised of two infantile sounds — ‘mur mur’.  There is no sense in it; no wit, or no thought in it.  It is the cry rather of a brute than of a man.  Murmur — just a double groan.” 
— Spurgeon



Do We Dare Murmur?
John Bate

The Lord of the harvest has the right to come and take any part of His grain from the field, in whatever condition it may be.  He may pluck it up in the tiny spiral blade or in the blooming ear.  He may let it grow until it bends under its weight and shines its golden richness. 

It does not become the grain to murmur at the proprietor’s conduct.  It was his grain before it was sown, his land in which it was planted, and his servants who sowed it. 

Has the grain any right to complain of its proprietor?  No more have we of God in any of His doings with us.  Can He not do as He chooses with His own?  Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right?

“If you’re busy rowing the boat, you won’t have time to rock it!”
— Author Unknown



Danger of Murmuring
T. Brooks

Caesar prepared a great feast for his nobles and friends.  Unfortunately, it was a miserable day.  He was so displeased by the rainy weather that he commanded all the men who had bows to shoot up their arrows at Jupiter, their chief “god,” in defiance of him for the rainy weather.  When they shot them, they, of course, fell short of their target, and the arrows came back to Earth.  In so doing, the arrows fell upon their heads so that many of them were wounded.

All of our murmurings and complaining, which are as so many arrows shot at God himself, will one day return upon ourselves.  They will never reach Him, but they will hit us.  They will not hurt God, but they will wound us.  Therefore, it is better to be mute than to murmur. 

Murmuring and Contentment
Trench

Some murmur when their sky is clear
And wholly bright to view,
If one small speck of dark appear
In their great heaven of blue;
And some with thankful love are filled
If but one streak of light,
One ray of God’s good mercy, gild
The darkness of their night.

In palaces are hearts that ask,
In discontent and pride,
Why life is such a dreary task,
And all good things denied?
And hearts in poorest huts admire
How love has in their aid
(Love that not ever seems to tire)
Such rich provision made.

 “Ten minutes’ praying is better than a year’s murmuring.” — Spurgeon

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