Being still is more than just a lack of movement or activity. As we dig deeper in the word of God, we find that being still requires great self-control!
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39
Be Still (G5382)
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To close the mouth with a muzzle, to muzzle
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metaph.
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to stop the mouth, make speechless, reduce to silence
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to become speechless
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to be kept in check
In the last devotional, I shared that to be still before the Lord is about relaxing and surrendering before the Lord. However, the above Greek definition of being still is more than just relaxing. This definition tells us to “be still” means to put a muzzle over our mouths. That is a very difficult task! A muzzle is not desirable but a necessary tool!
“A muzzle is mask-like device placed over the snout of a dog to prevent injury from biting. When fitted properly, your dog should be able to pant, eat, and drink while wearing the muzzle. “[Muzzles] are most often used for dogs that are a bite risk to other dogs or humans,” Stoddard notes.” Daily Paws
“Muzzles are useful preventative tools to keep dogs from engaging in dangerous behavior with their mouths — and that doesn’t mean just biting. Muzzles can be especially helpful for dogs who like to eat non-food items.”Animal Human Society
The above definitions help us understand the reason behind the use of a muzzle. Muzzles are not something that a dog would be excited about. However, the owner protects the dog and others by placing a muzzle over the dog’s mouth. Otherwise, the dog can bite others, or it can eat something it shouldn’t eat.
Based on the above definition, being still teaches us several truths:
1. Not everything needs to be shared
As Americans, we love our freedom of expression. In addition, some of us have been raised in environments, where our opinions were dismissed or squashed. Now that we are free from oppression, we look for every opportunity to express ourselves.
2. People don’t need to hear all of our opinions or preferences
We feel that the world needs to hear what we have to say because we have something good to offer them. The problem is sometimes we don’t know when to stop and just be quiet.
We assume that whenever we have a thought or opinion, we should freely share it rather than checking in with the Holy Spirit and receiving the mind of the spirit.
3. Being still stops evil and darkness from going any further
Our words have the capacity to bite others. While we may feel better temporarily after venting, those words can cause injury to others. Furthermore, by ruminating on things or talking about it to others, it allows evil to continue to do its work, offend others, get bigger, and wreak havoc.
4. Being still requires fasting from words that contain opinions, frustrations, or negativity
We can fast from food, but sometimes our words and those things that come out of our hearts are polluting ourselves and others.
5. Being still helps us to focus on the Lord
Being still allows us to listen to the Lord’s precious voice. We are no longer expecting others to soothe every frustration, but we are looking to the Lord.
Jesus calmed the wind by commanding it to be peaceful and to be still. Similarly, we can allow the winds and the frustrations in our lives to calm down by being still before the Lord and refraining from using damaging words. Let’s let the Lord do the work in us to bring peace and calmness!
Being still is more than just a lack of movement or activity. As we dig deeper in the word of God, we find that being still requires great self-control!