MURMURING IN THE HEART

Let us look at the true meaning of prayer according to the way the word is used throughout the scriptures.

It is communion with the Father.

It is the asking, beseeching, and the desire for the things He promised us.

It is the platform to receive the spiritual blessings we need to minister to those who are lost, ignorant and out of the way.

It is a place for the confession of love and the acknowledging of good and evil.

It is the channel of our supply.

It is the portal of life.

The disposition of the heart is not to be taken likely. The Father has already given commandment concerning such. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we approach the Father with the pureness of heart. MURMUR, MURMURING gongusmos NT:1112, "a murmuring, muttering" is used (a) in the sense of secret debate,

John 7:12-13

12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. (b) indignant (angry) displeasure or indignant and unworthy complaining (more privately than in public),

1 Peter 4:9-10

9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God, (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

This unjust anger or unworthy complaining is not only an attitude displayed to selected others, but it also reflects a disposition of the heart. There are lawful complaints that one can make concerning a situation or relationship. But murmuring is usually a complaint or displeasure that originates within an impure heart.

Why? It originates from an impure heart because murmuring never considers or proposes to be merciful towards the alleged offender. Even in the scripture cited above, the people murmured concerning Christ. Some thought Him to be good, some thought Him to be evil. Those who thought of Him as good, one would quickly take them out of the category of unlawful complaint. However, if their motive was to discredit and slander the Pharisees in doing so, then they, too, are guilty of murmuring.

Phil 2:14-15

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.

The fact is that many in the Body of Christ believe that it is perfectly all right to approach the Lord in prayer with this disposition of the heart. We all may have been guilty of murmuring against our sisters or brothers at one time or another. Sometimes we do so by not allowing wisdom to instruct us concerning the things we are about to speak. I have been very guilty of that. In such cases, we will make a situation worse instead of better. Sometimes, it is because we simply have a problem with those whom we murmur against.

It is time to judge ourselves. We know what is in our hearts. We know whether there is iniquity lurking in the darkness. Nevertheless, it is the will of God that we do not murmur against one another. Many of the Hebrews were destroyed in the wilderness because they murmured against God and Moses. Do not be deceived simply because you may be one who does not discuss how you really feel about a person or situation with anyone.

Murmuring within will keep us in the wilderness. It alienates us from God and man. It is time for the saints of God to learn how to bear one another instead of being accusative and condemning. Why is it so hard to be compassionate when others are in error? Why is condemnation so vital? Why is it so hard to forgive and encourage? Murmuring is unjust anger and unworthy complaining. It can be confined to the heart or it can be spewed out to others. It is fueled by jealousy, unforgiveness, pride and the desire to see some type of retribution extended to the offender.

It is certainly not the condition to approach the Father in. Some are very stubborn and simply refuse to relent their positions. The one who murmurs is also unjust because he or she will not place his sin and shortcomings on display (even to his eyes only) in the same manner as he does that of an offender. If somehow his weaknesses, shortcomings or sin did come to the forefront, he would never completely and honestly acknowledge the truth about himself, while others may acknowledge the truth but still hold fast to their right to judge others.

These are the people who expect to reach the Father in prayer. They do not believe the Word. They refuse to conform to the truth and remain in a defeated spiritual state of being. Sadly, they will never experience the security of knowing that the Father is listening to them or hearing their prayers until they humble themselves and accept the truth about their own disposition.

If this is in any way related to your disposition, beloved, you can move. You do not have to remain alienated from God and man. You can be free of the condemnation of pride, judgmentalism and murmuring. Humble yourself before God and submit to your brothers and sisters. You don’t have to be miserable. You don’t have to be struggling, within. Free yourself. Obey the Word. Walk in the Spirit and experience the joy, peace and righteousness in the Holy Ghost.

heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.