Murmuring is sinning against God. Murmuring is a work of the flesh that is defined as whispering, debating a matter in a tone so low that it sounds like a murmur, complaining, defaming someone. In the Hebrew language one of its meanings defines it as a complaint and an “evil report.” And in Greek, the word is used of secret slander. In the Septuagint, in its negative use, it refers to an incantation spoken between the teeth.
It is notable, in the Bible, how much murmuring displeases God, especially because, even if we whisper, He hears. It is good to know that when we complain about some situation or against someone, ultimately the one we are doing it against is God. We generally complain about something that supposedly affects us instead of going to the Lord, which reflects our great ignorance and lack of faith.
In the Old Covenant Jehovah was very strict about this, to the point that some He punished with leprosy (Numbers 12); others were swallowed by the earth (Numbers 16); and many died bitten by fiery serpents (Numbers 21). In the new covenant, we can only give thanks for Jesus Christ, by whose life we have escaped the condemnation of the world. Nevertheless, the Lord Himself warned us: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2). And in Mark He warns: “Take heed what you hear; for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you who hear” (Mark 4:24). Let us now look at other verses that show us God’s feeling regarding this work of the flesh that is murmuring:
Exodus 16:7 “… and in the morning you shall see the glory of Jehovah; for He has heard your murmurings against Jehovah; for what are we, that you murmur against us?”
Numbers 14:27 “How long shall I bear with this wicked multitude that murmurs against Me, the complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against Me?”
Isaiah 29:24 “And those who went astray in spirit will learn understanding, and the murmurers will learn doctrine”.
Psalms 15:1-3 “Jehovah, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle? Who shall abide on Your holy mountain? He who walks with integrity and does righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He who does not slander with his
tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor accepts any reproach against his neighbor.
Psalms 41:7 “All who hate me murmur together against me; Against me they devise evil, saying of me…”.
Romans 1:28-30 And since they did not approve of having God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, perversity, covetousness, wickedness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malignity; 30 murmurers, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, proud, haughty, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents…”
1 Corinthians 10:10 “Nor murmur, as some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer”.
1 Peter 2:12 “… keeping your manner of life good among the Gentiles; so that in what they speak against you as evildoers, they may glorify God in the day of visitation, by considering your good works”.
1 Peter 4:9 ”Be hospitable to one another without murmuring”.
James 4:11-12 ”Brothers, do not speak against one another. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is only one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; but you, who are you to judge another?”
Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without murmurings and disputes”.
