Leaves of Grace

                              by Dr. Robert G. Smith

Muzzle

I said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue;  I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.”
(Psa. 39:1 NASB)

Except for a couple of instances, there isn’t much market these days for a muzzle.  However, for those who work on the farm and those who work with vicious animals, a muzzle is a really great implement.  A muzzle is designed to be placed around the animal’s mouth; it keeps the animal from eating when it shouldn’t, and it keeps the animal from biting.  It enables the animal still to breathe freely—but renders it unable to bite.  In this prayer, David writes that he will insure that he’s the one who will put a muzzle on his own mouth.  Why would he do such a thing?

It’s not difficult to figure.  Who hasn’t spoken things which, with later reflection, they wish they hadn’t?  Sometimes it doesn’t even require a later reflection—we realize it suddenly, before the sound fades, that we’ve said something we shouldn’t.  Not uncommonly, it’s not only something we shouldn’t have said—but also something we wish we hadn’t said.  In the words of the colloquialism, we’ve all had words come back to haunt us. 

Probably there isn’t a time when our words shouldn’t be measured carefully.  However, when dealing with wicked people, with difficult persons, or in the midst of trying circumstances, perhaps extra caution is even more in order.  A muzzle is needed.  A muzzle, a guard we have placed at the mouth, a sentinel that will help us to have fewer regrets. 

James wrote that such protections are needed.  His counsel is that we should more prepared to listen than to speak, (James 1:19).  Some elf noted that God provided two ears, and one mouth; use them in their given proportions.  How much less regret most would have if we really did listen twice as much as we spoke.  It’s true:  What an horrific fire the tongue can ignite!  David’s son Solomon would later note that the tongue’s misuse is prominent in three of the seven things that God hates, (Pro 6:16).  Ah, the tongue…so often the great tool of offense against God and man!

A muzzle.  Perhaps it would be a great decoration for the edge of the morning mirror.  Or maybe for the fridge.  Or at least a picture of a muzzle.  One look, a daily self- reminder, a brief prayer that God would help us to guard our own tongues for the day.  It would, perhaps be better to remember the muzzle than to wear it.  If we don’t remember t, however, we might not be much better off than the animal without one—when, of course, we will just do what comes naturally!

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