The Tongue (Part 6)

The Bible records the specific words that kept Israel out of their Promised Land:

Numbers 14:1-4 "And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.  And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."

The people "murmured against Moses and Aaron".  Murmuring is an outward expression of unbelief.  When you murmur against your circumstances or against your spiritual leaders, you are actually murmuring against God.  It reveals a lack of trust in God’s goodness, His love, His provision, and the leadership He has set over your life. 

There are many believers today who have fallen into this snare of the enemy. When they face problems in their finances, in their families, or on the job, instead of trusting God they begin to murmur. They may not speak audibly, but in their hearts they are saying, “Why has God allowed this to happen to me? I am tired of never having enough money to meet my needs. Why doesn’t God answer my prayers? Has He forgotten me?”  On the job, they murmur about the immense amount of work they have. They grumble about their salaries, the working conditions, and claim  they aren’t being treated fairly. 

The Israelites murmured because of the carnal desires and appetites of their flesh. They were not satisfied with the manna God provided for them. They were ungrateful for what God gave them and longed for the fish, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic they had enjoyed in Egypt.  They would rather be slaves and go back to the old life than to obey God.   

When you murmur, you are doubting God’s provision and care for you. Moses told the Israelites, in Exodus 16:8 AMP:

“The Lord has heard your grumblings which you murmur against Him, what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.”

When you complain and grumble, you are not murmuring against people or circumstances. You are murmuring against God.  And yes, He hears you. Not only does He hear you, but your words of unbelief hinder you from acting in faith upon His promises.

Paul used the example of the Israelites to warn the Corinthians not to grumble. He said, in 1 Corinthians 10:10, 11:

"And do not grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”

Just as murmuring kept the Israelites out of the Promised Land, grumbling and complaining will hinder you from entering into your spiritual destiny