I said, “I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me.” Psalm 39:1

Speaking is easy for most people. People are often very quick to give their opinion about something and in the process will quickly say something that should not be said. Friends or family are sometimes pushed away by harmful words said in the heat of a moment of anger or pain. Some do not even care about what their words will do to another and are willing to say what they are thinking.

David had chosen to guard his ways to keep from sinning with what he says. He said he would restrain his mouth with a muzzle around those who are wicked.

Whenever someone has had something harmful or painful done to oneself, it becomes very easy to get angry and curse the one who did the harm. Speaking out of anger is very easy for most people. Words are said in the heat of the moment that should never have been said.

People often put muzzles on dogs to keep them from barking or biting. Both the barking and the biting can cause harm when it is not needed or desired.

Believers are not immune to this problem of what one says. Without a sharp focus upon God and a muzzle upon the mouth, one will quickly say what is sinful and harm others or the witness of Jesus to the world.

Although people cannot wear a physical muzzle, they can put a restraint upon what they say or how they say something. Every word should be filtered by God’s word. Anything that is not of God should never be said. God will give the right words to say.

You have most likely said some things in your past that were said out of anger and are sinful. It was at a time in which you did not put a muzzle on your mouth and restrain your words.

In times of difficulty and pain from another person, put all of your focus upon God and His word. Guard your words that you speak. Allow the Holy Spirit to put a muzzle upon your mouth and keep you from saying anything sinful or harmful. As the old saying goes, be slow to speak and quick to listen.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will speak the words of God; that you will allow the Holy Spirit to put a muzzle upon your mouth; that you will guard the words you speak carefully; and that you will not sin against God with what you say.

Picture by Annie Spratt on Unsplash