Category: Articles

Jude 16a: These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts…

Jude 15 references the ungodly who God will execute judgment upon. When ungodly individuals are described in the Bible, words such as selfish, proud, worldly, covetous, and dishonest are often used.

A word which may not be as frequently spoken against is used in Jude 16 to describe the ungodly: murmurers.

Murmuring is often descriptive of unfaithful individuals. The first generation of Israelites to exit Egypt murmured against Moses and God when their desires were not met (Ex. 16:7-8; Num. 14:27,36). The inspired apostle Paul warned the church at Corinth not to murmur as these Israelites did (1 Cor. 10:10). Paul told the church at Philippi to “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” (Phil. 2:14). A consistent mark of the Jews rebuked by Jesus was murmuring against Him (Luke 15:2; 19:7; John 6:41). What is this murmuring, and why is it wrong?

In Jude 16, “murmurers” refers to “one who complains” (Strong – G1113). This isn’t complaining to encourage correction, but grumbling in discontentment. A murmurer’s life is characterized by constant grumbling.

Digging into the murmuring that marked the “exodus” generation of Israelites helps us understand why it can be destructive.

At the beginning of the book of Exodus, the Israelites had been in Egyptian bondage for about 400 years (Acts 7:6). As they were being oppressed, “God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Ex. 2:24).

God showed His faithfulness to that covenant by leading the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. As the Israelites started their exodus from Egypt, God showed them additional evidence that He was with them (Ex. 13:21-22; 14:19-30). Despite this, the Israelites time and again distrusted God and murmured (Ex. 15:24; 16:2; 17:3; Num. 14:2,29).

The murmuring of the Israelites was caused by discontentment, selfishness, lack of faith, and shortsightedness.

These same problems cause murmuring today. An “attitude of gratitude” produces joy rather than murmuring (Phil. 4:4).

This isn’t to say that disappointments are never going to come (cf. Rom. 12:15), or that “negative” topics should never be discussed. The inspired apostles spoke of the ugliness of sin (cf. 2 Pet. 2:1-6). The purpose of such teaching, though, was to warn against sin’s consequences (verse 6).

The murmuring condemned by God is different. It serves no good purpose.

The Israelites fell into the trap of murmuring by forgetting God’s promises (Ex. 6:6-8). Their lack of faith led them to grumble instead of praising God.

May we learn from this example, and “Do all things without murmurings.”

– Michael Hickox

Following captivity, some Jews returned to Jerusalem. They were expected to rebuild the temple. Rather than making this their priority, they put wordly pursuits above all (cf. Hag. 1:4,6). They suffered for this, and God exhorted, “Consider your ways” (Hag. 1:5,7).

The phrase “consider your ways” prompts reflection and self-examination (cf. 2 Cor. 13:5). Considering our ways is something we should do frequently.

While many approach self-examination fearful of finding something that needs to be fixed, we should actually be eager to find things that need corrected. Instead of being scared to discover sin, we should be scared not to find sin when it exists. We should be eager to improve.

Considering our ways is not about comparing ourselves to others, but to the standard of God’s will.

Much of the temptation for pride may stem from man’s tendency to look at how we “measure up” to others. This is a bad method of self-reflection (cf. Luke 18:11).

Instead of such an attitude, strong Christians are often the first individuals to acknowledge their need for growth. We should dig into the Word seeking to grow and improve (cf. Acts 20:32; 1 Pet. 2:2).

May we consider our ways and examine ourselves constantly to find things we can do to better please God.

– Michael Hickox

James 5:11: Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

The Holy Spirit gave the example of “the patience of Job” to encourage Christians to be patient (cf. Jas. 5:7)

The account of Job began by noting that he was “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1). He had great earthly blessings (Job 1:2-3), leading Satan to claim that Job’s faith was due to God making things easy for him (Job 1:9-11).

Satan desired to tempt Job by taking away some of his blessings (Job 1:11).

Notice God’s response to Satan. Job 1:12: Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.

God had to permit Satan the power to tempt Job. Satan could not force Job to sin, or tempt Job in a way that God did not allow (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13).

Satan was eager to do what destruction he could. He took away Job’s children, servants, and animals (Job 1:13-19).

Job responded with faith, saying, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Verse 22: In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job’s faith did not discourage Satan from continuing to tempt him. Satan next claimed that Job’s obedience was merely a result of God not harming him physically (Job 2:4-5).

God again permitted Satan to tempt Job, this time requiring only that Job’s life be spared (Job 2:6). Verse 7: So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Satan’s tricks led Job’s wife to assume that the sensible response was to “curse God, and die” (Job 2:9). She asked her husband, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity?” She viewed integrity as something to have as long as God gives us what we want. Job recognized the folly of this and asked, “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10).

Job’s patience should not undermine the difficulty of the trials he faced. He sat on the ground with some of his friends for seven days and nights. None of them spake a word because Job’s grief was so great (Job 2:13).

Chapters 3-37 of the book detail a discussion Job had with his friends. While they insisted that he must have some sin in his life he was hiding (Job 4:7-8), Job disagreed. After much discussion, God spoke up and asked “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2).

Job and his friends, like many today, attempted to read God’s mind concerning things not revealed (cf. Deut. 29:29).

Job repented “in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6) after acknowledging “I uttered that I understood not” (Job 42:3).

After this, God restored Job’s fortunes. Job 42:12-13: So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters.

God helped Job gain patience by seeing His power, sovereignty, and tender mercy. Through Job’s example, we can understand the need to not stumble because of momentary pain, but to serve God without wavering.

While we often fail to know exactly why things happen as they do, scriptures like that in Job build faith through trials by showing us that God will reward us if we endure and serve Him faithfully.

– Michael Hickox

The Bible contrasts what matters most in life with what does not.

Matthew 6:25-34 is a passage in which Jesus explains what matters most. His words “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33) do not teach that following Christ brings earthly riches. Rather, the teaching is that if we serve God to the best of our ability, all else will be OK (cf. Rom. 8:28).

Contrast this with the reverse mindset of “if everything is good in my life, then I will obey God.” This is the opposite of what our Lord taught. If we follow Christ, we will see life differently than the world sees it.

Consider the people deemed important by the world. Those who gain riches, fame, power, or prestige are often praised for such “success.” Gaining such things is not necessarily wrong, but what is really important is far different from these.

For instance, are we a godly example (Matt. 5:13-16)? Do we help those in need (Luke 10:25-37)? Is the fruit of the Spirit shown in our character (Gal. 5:22-23)? Do we pray ceaselessly (1 Thess. 5:17)?

Jesus Himself had little of the things most people consider important. He said in Luke 9:58, “foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.” Our culture encourages “self-promotion,” but Jesus said “whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:12). While our society promotes getting “to the top,” Jesus “came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28-WEB).

The contrast between what Jesus promoted and what our society considers significant makes one wonder if Jesus would really be honored if He walked on earth today, or if He would be treated as “second-class” for being meek and poor.

Just as we must focus on what matters most in our personal lives, we must focus on what matters most in a local church.

Many “church-goers” focus on the quality of church buildings, the entertainment during assembly times, and the numbers that big buildings and entertainment often produce. What matters to God, though, are things like love (1 Thess. 3:12), unity (1 Cor. 1:10), spiritual growth (Eph. 4:13-16), zeal for proclaiming truth (1 Thess. 1:8), and soundness of doctrine (cf. Tit. 2:1).

Many desire teaching from eloquent speakers who will teach what makes listeners feel good (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3-4). What matters to God, though, is that the truth is spoken in its simplicity (1 Cor. 2:4; 2 Cor. 1:12) and in love (Eph. 4:15), using His Word as our guide (1 Pet. 4:11).

These examples contrast what most think is important and what is most important according to God. May we pattern our thinking according to what God says, and not the wisdom of this world.

– Michael Hickox

Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

The statement in Romans 10:17 applies both to Christians and those who are not yet Christians. God’s Word produces and builds faith.

Jesus, in the “parable of the sower,” taught that when good and honest hearts come in contact with the truth of God’s Word, good fruit is produced (Luke 8:15).

God’s Word is the “seed” that makes Christians (Luke 8:11), and God’s Word is the nourishment by which Christians grow (Acts 20:32; 1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:14).

This week, we invite all to come hear lessons from this faith-building Word.

As we hear, may we not be as the hard-hearted, who do not want to admit when change is needed. May we not be as those who hear the Word, but do not put it into practice. May we not be as the procrastinator, who says “someday” I will do what the Lord requires.

May we have the heart to make our lives right with God immediately, recognizing that none of us are guaranteed another day (James 4:14), and Jesus’ return could come this week (Matt. 24:36; 2 Pet. 3:10).

God has given us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). May we seek to be godly and thus be granted eternal life by “feeding” upon His Word and putting His will into practice.

– Michael Hickox