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Introductory Thoughts

We all know at least oneSimply put, the murmurer is a chronic faultfinder

Negative thinker – Problem seekerMalcontent due to nothing ever suiting him

The world has gone to the dogs and he enjoys complaining about it without offering any solutions

Seriousness of His Sin

A look at the best Biblical exampleIsrael in the wilderness

Exodus 14:11-12 – Exodus 15:23-24Exodus 16:2-3 – Exodus 17:2-3

Many other examples could be givenSuffice it to say that the constant complaining

cost a generation the hope of the promised land

Murmuring is condemned in ScriptureGalatians 5:19-21

Kinds of Murmurer's

Idealistic MurmurerComplains about anything short of perfection

Dreams about better days

Pessimistic MurmurerAlways sees the dark cloud, not the silver lining

Ignores the factsRelays how bad everything is

Skeptical MurmurerThis is a doubter

Doubt is due to a lack of faith

Kinds of Murmurer'sCowardly Murmurer

One who complains and finds fault because he is afraid to attempt something

Lazy MurmurerFinds the negatives of a situation because he

does not want to do the workIt is rare for one to criticize that in which he is

actively involved

Negligent MurmurerComplains to divert attention away from his

weaknessDoubt is due to a lack of faith

Kinds of Murmurer's

Negligent MurmurerComplains to divert attention away from his

weakness

Envious MurmurerJealousy and envy prompts all sorts of

faultfinding

Egotistical MurmurerArrogant and self righteous

Finds fault in others because he thinks he has no faults

Kinds of Murmurer's

Never Satisfied MurmurerA habitually discontent person who rarely finds

anything suitable

Ungrateful MurmurerOne who is deeply rooted in an unthankful state

At some point in time we all probably fall into one of these categories

Our goal should be to get out as quick as possible

The Menace of the Murmurer

The chronic murmurer is dangerous for two reasons

He is discouraging

It sends a message of nothing will ever succeed

He is debilitating

It cripples the positive efforts that are being attempted

A Simple Solution to the Problem

When tempted to be a fault finder, ask these questions

Is the situation as bad as it seems?

Can anything positive be done to improve the situation?

Am I willing and able to do something to help, besides talk?

Am I going to be part of the solution or continue to be part of the problem?

Concluding ThoughtsA sincere expression of dissatisfaction is

different than destructive murmuringDiffers in the fact that murmuring is what

takes place behind the scenes, not in a public forum

Remember This: No one has ever erected a memorial to honor a critic

Look at these two versesPhilippians 2:14 – James 5:9

Satan loves the murmuring, it makes his work much easier