Philippians 2: 12 – 18

January 24, 2023

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

The Miriam Webster Online Dictionary defines ‘murmur’ as a “half-suppressed or muttered complaint.”

There are 24 mentions of ‘murmur/murmuring’ in the Bible; from Exodus 15:24 all the way to James 5:9. God hates murmuring. No doubt about it. I like these New Testament instances – John 6:13 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. John 6:61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmur concerning this, said to them, Does this offend you? 1 Cor 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. James 5:9 murmur not against one another, brethren, that ye may not be condemned; lo, the Judge before the door hath stood. (Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Murmur)

I’m convinced. The next time someone in church says something or does something you don’t like, take it to God in prayer because He hates when you murmur. If the priest isn’t up to your expectations, take it to God in prayer because you’re not going to win by murmuring. Get it? It should be the 11th Commandment: Thou shalt not murmur.

Just as an aside, I laughed out loud re-reading Jesus’ question … that is so now, isn’t it? Do I offend you??? Echoes of many folks I listened to. Don’t tell me the Bible is a dead book. It’s right lively as far as I’m concerned!

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