Topical Bible: Murmuring: Guilt of Encouraging Others In

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Murmuring, often understood as grumbling or complaining, is a recurrent theme in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. It is depicted as a serious offense against God, reflecting a lack of faith and trust in His provision and promises. The act of murmuring not only affects the individual but can also lead others into similar discontent, thereby compounding the sin.

Biblical Instances and Warnings

The Israelites' murmuring is prominently featured in the books of Exodus and Numbers. In Exodus 16:2-3 , the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, expressing their dissatisfaction with their circumstances despite God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt. This act of murmuring was not merely a complaint against human leaders but was ultimately directed against God Himself, as seen in Exodus 16:8 : "Your grumbling is not against us, but against the LORD."

In Numbers 14:1-4 , the Israelites' murmuring reached a climax when they refused to enter the Promised Land, leading to God's judgment. Their complaints discouraged others, spreading fear and rebellion throughout the camp. This incident underscores the communal impact of murmuring, as it can lead to widespread disobedience and a collective turning away from God's commands.

Consequences of Murmuring

The Bible clearly outlines the consequences of murmuring. In Numbers 14:26-30 , God declared that the generation of Israelites who murmured would not enter the Promised Land, except for Caleb and Joshua, who remained faithful. This punishment highlights the severity with which God views murmuring, especially when it incites others to doubt and disobedience.

The New Testament also addresses the issue of murmuring. In 1 Corinthians 10:10 , Paul warns the Corinthian church not to grumble as some of the Israelites did, resulting in their destruction by the destroyer. This serves as a cautionary reminder for believers to avoid the pitfalls of discontent and to trust in God's sovereign plan.

Encouraging Others in Murmuring

Encouraging others in murmuring is a grave sin, as it not only reflects personal discontent but also leads others astray. The Bible emphasizes the importance of edifying speech and actions that build up the community of believers. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."

The responsibility of believers is to foster an environment of faith and trust in God, rather than one of doubt and complaint. Hebrews 3:12-13 warns against having an unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God and encourages believers to exhort one another daily to prevent the deceitfulness of sin.

Conclusion

Murmuring, particularly when it encourages others, is a serious offense in the biblical narrative. It reflects a lack of faith and can lead to communal disobedience and judgment. Believers are called to trust in God's provision and to encourage one another in faith, avoiding the pitfalls of discontent and complaint.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 13:31-33
But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 14:36,37
And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander on the land,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Beauty for Ashes
... long to tarry; grace takes their load of guilt away ... have and at what they have not,
murmuring at the ... us from all sin:" or, that equally encouraging word, "Come ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/beauty for ashes.htm

Letter cxviii. To Julian.
... difficult for innocence to refrain from murmuring when it ... and mental judgment depend,
the guilt arising from ... hand to such as fall and encouraging the climbers ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxviii to julian.htm

The Lessons of the Street.
... grossness, intelligence and ignorance, respectability and guilt"we only ... It is an
encouraging sign when an evil ... of steps that beat The murmuring walks like ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse i the lessons of.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ...
... school, joined our society, found the guilt and load of ... for several years; but instead
of murmuring at this ... of the most extensive and encouraging revivals ever ...
/.../chapter 4 from the close.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... Anointing, metaphorically, for encouraging, [756]378 ... the Gospel, [869]182, [870]189;
a confirmation of the Gospel, [871]186; give confidence to others, [872]190 ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

Rom. vii. 14
... the Resurrection, since this was the most encouraging [1410] hope ... even, and while
his servants are murmuring, and his ... in that it is caused by the guilt of the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xiii rom vii 14.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... by which the believing man recognizes and realizes that divine rule of life called
righteousness (see i.20, iii.18), either in intercourse with others or, as ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... pictures of the natural man are equally faithful and striking"when guilt and conviction ...
and some do better improve the grace they have than others of their ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm