A few short years ago I attended a hunter safety course with my son. These courses are a cultural experience that I would recommend even to non-hunters. It is a slice of American life and a rite of passage for many.
Through the evening, the game warden returned time and time again to his mantra. He said if you don’t remember anything else please remember two words that deal with how we handle firearms. Two simple words sum up the hunter safety ethos: muzzle control.
This stuck. Two words—muzzle control. For all of you modern day business gurus who run around searching for the next pathway to wisdom, this game warden boiled his down to a sticky, two-word proverb. I like simple, sticky, terse, and pointed phrases that sum up an abundance of knowledge. This is kind of like an aphorism, a principle, but even more pointed.
Well, you knew this might be leading to some spiritual advice for the holidays. This Christmas season, my advice to you is summed up in two words: muzzle control. No, not the muzzle of a firearm. My advice focuses on another type of muzzle—your mouth. Control your mouth, in other words.
Control your mouth, you say? Do you mean watch what you eat over the Christmas season? No, I mean watch what you say. The Christmas season in particular seems to be the time of year when words hurt the most, when careless things are said in family and friend gatherings that cannot be taken back. The emotions of the season are high, and the tendency is to get a bit careless with our mouths. Who hasn’t been in a situation over the holidays that got a bit touchy, a bit overboard with too much information? Maybe we should add to our mantra three other words—too much information, or TMI for short.
This is certainly biblical. Ephesians 5:18-20 says it this way, “Be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” As a Christ follower, we know the Holy Spirit indwells us. The task is to get into a place where the Spirit can be dominant over our own flesh. One way to get there is to get into God’s Word, spend time in prayer, and express thanks for all the simple blessings we receive each day. Singing the great Christmas hymns and carols take us into the proper mood. This can only lead to thanksgiving and to proper words spoken at the proper time.
Let’s strive together to make this Christmas season meaningful by being careful with our words. Our words have the power to lift up. Why not lift up the name of our Lord Jesus this season? After all, Jesus is the reason for the season. Not only should we remember “muzzle control,” but let’s remember two more words: Praise Him!
