The Danger of Murmuring Against God
Key Bible Verse:
1 Corinthians 10:10
“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”
Introduction:
• Murmuring
subdued or private expression of discontent or dissatisfaction:
• Greek meaning:
diagogguzó: To murmur, to grumble, to grudge, to complain (through a whole crowd or amongst one another.(Likewise used in the
Biblical context )
• Murmuring (Biblical Context)
secret grumbling, complaining, expressing dissatisfaction with God’s will or provision.
• Murmuring in this context, reflects a heart of unbelief and ingratitude.
• Murmuring often brings judgment instead of blessing.
Biblical Examples of Murmuring Against God (and His servants)
• At Marah — The Israelites complaining about water
Exodus 15:23-24
And when they came to Marah... they could
not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter... And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
➡ Murmured against: Moses (God’s servant)
➡ Issue: Bitter water, no drinkable water
➡ God’s response: He made the bitter water sweet (grace in their need).
• In the wilderness of Sin — The Israelites complaining of hunger
Exodus 16:2-3
And the whole congregation... murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness...
➡ Murmured against: Moses and Aaron
➡ Issue: Hunger, longing for food of Egypt
➡ God’s response: Provided manna and quail, but also tested their obedience.
• At Rephidim — The Israelites Complaining about thirst
Exodus 17:2-3
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink... And the people murmured...
➡ Murmured against: Moses
➡ Issue: No water
➡ God’s response: Water from the rock (God’s provision despite complaint).
• Desiring meat, despising manna
Numbers 11:4-6, 10
And the mixed multitude... fell a lusting: and
the children of Israel also wept again... our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna...
➡ Murmured against: God indirectly; discontent with His provision
➡ Issue: Tired of manna, craving meat
➡ God’s response: Sent quail, but with plague for their greed.
• After the spies’ report — Complaining about entering the Promised Land
Numbers 14:1-2
And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron...
➡ Murmured against: Moses, Aaron, ultimately, against God
➡ Issue: Fear of giants, disbelief in God’s promise
➡ God’s response: That generation was
barred from the Promised Land.
• After Korah’s rebellion — Complaining about God’s judgment
Numbers 16:41
"But on the morrow all the congregation... murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord."
➡ Murmured against: Moses and Aaron
➡ Issue: Angry that God judged Korah and his 250 followers who also murmured against God’s choice - Moses and Aaron (Num 16)
➡ God’s response: A plague that killed additional 14,700 until Aaron made atonement.
• Murmuring against Jesus (New
Testament)
John 6:41-43
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
➡ Murmured against: Jesus
➡ Issue: Rejected His claim as the bread from heaven
➡ Jesus’ response: He rebuked their unbelief and taught further truth.
NOTE:
➡ Murmuring arose when the people:
• Faced physical needs (water, food)
• Felt discontent with God’s provision
• Were afraid to trust God’s promises
• Rejected God’s judgment or teaching
➡ Murmuring was usually against God’s servants (Moses, Aaron, Jesus) — but God saw it as murmuring against Him (God).
- What Causes murmuring?
- How does it operate?
- What Life Lessons can be derived?
• Murmuring arises from a heart that forgets God's goodness
✅ Exodus 15:24 – Bitter waters at Marah
The people forgot that God had just delivered them at the Red Sea, and they complained about water.
✅ Lesson:
➡ Murmuring blinds a person to past blessings by making him/her fix gaze on the current problem and looking down on God - the solution Giver.
➡ We must remember and trust God’s faithfulness in trials.
• Murmuring expresses discontent with God's provision
✅ Exodus 16:2-3 – Hunger in the wilderness
They longed for Egypt’s food and despised God’s plan of provision (manna).
✅ Numbers 11:4-6 – Loathing manna, craving meat
They despised God’s miraculous provision and demanded meat.
✅ Lesson:
➡ A murmuring heart is never satisfied — it focuses on what’s lacking, not what’s given.
Just as some Christians today, when they face challenges, would wish for their past sinful surplus lifestyle.
➡ Gratitude silences murmuring.
• Murmuring spreads rebellion and invites judgment
✅ Numbers 14:1-2 – After the spies’ report
Their complaints led to rebellion; the entire generation died in the wilderness.
✅ Numbers 16:41 – After Korah’s rebellion
Even after seeing God’s judgment on rebels, the people murmured and a plague killed 14,700.
✅ Lesson:
➡ Murmuring infects a community.
➡ God takes murmuring seriously because it challenges His authority.
Consequences of Murmuring
⚠ Murmuring brought:
• Loss of blessings (Promised Land)
• Plague and destruction
• Hinderance to their relationship with God
What to Do Instead of Murmuring
• Cultivate gratitude by giving thanks in all things
Philippians 2:14
Do all things without murmurings and disputings.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
➡ Instead of complaining, look for reasons to thank God — even in trials. Gratitude opens the door for peace and blessings.
Ask God to help you by His grace, even when
it seems so difficult to thank and praise Him. He will help you
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
• Pray about your concerns
Philippians 4:6
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
➡ When tempted to murmur, take your complaints to God in prayer — not against God or His servants.
• Trust God’s plan and timing
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
➡ Murmuring happens when we lean on our own understanding. Faith in God’s plan silences complaints.
• Encourage, support, and pray for God’s servants
Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls…
➡ Instead of criticizing, pray for, honor, and assist those whom God has placed in
leadership.(1Timothy 2:1-4, 1Thes 5:25, 2 Thes 3:1)
• Speak words of faith and hope
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying…
➡ Use your words to build up, not tear down.
• Remember and recount God’s past faithfulness
Psalm 103:2
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
➡ Murmuring forgets — but faith remembers!
Testify about what God has already done.
• Serve with joy
Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
➡ Instead of murmuring about work or service, serve God with gladness.
In Summary:
➡ Instead of murmuring:
• 🙏 Pray
• ❤️ Thank God
• 🕊️ Trust His plan
• ✨ Encourage others
• 🙏 Pray for God's servants/others
• 📣 Speak faith
• 🤲 Remember His goodness
• 😃 Serve joyfully
Conclusion
• Murmuring is not just complaining — it’s doubting God’s goodness.
• Let’s repent of murmuring and choose it's opposites - faith, gratitude, and praise.
QUESTION:
Am I trusting God, or am I murmuring against His will today?
Altar Call
Are you born again?
If you're not born again, then you need to come to Him so that He can help you. He will give you a heart of gratitude in place of a Murmuring heart.
Dear Lord, Jesus, I come to you today as a sinner. I surrender my life to you. Please take me, forgive me all my sins. Wash away my sins with Your precious blood, make me whole, and do not allow me to ever go to go back to sin again. Thank you Lord. Amen!
Congratulations! You are born again!
You're welcome to continue to fellowship with us or do endeavor to join any other household of faith that teaches the undiluted Word of God.
God bless you!
Prayer:
• Thank God for Who He Is, His compassion, and for His unwavering love/faithfulness.
• Lord, forgive me for every time I have murmured against Your plans.
• Help me, Oh Lord to trust You completely, in Jesus' name.
• Father, fill my mouth with thanksgiving instead of murmur.
• Father, I receive the grace to thank and praise you in every moment of my life, in Jesus' name!
Amen!
