The Muzzle Effect

(TPT)

17 - The pastors who lead the church well should be paid well. They should receive double honor for faithfully preaching and teaching the revelation of the Word of God.

18 - For the Scriptures have taught us: “Do not muzzle an ox or forbid it to eat while it grinds the grain.” And also, “the one who labors deserves his wages.”

(NCV)

8. I do not say this by human authority; God’s law says the same thing.

9. it is written in the law of Moses: “When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth to keep it from eating.” When God said this, was he thinking only about oxen? No.

10. He was really talking about us. Yes, that Scripture was written for us, because it goes on to say. “The one who plows and the one who works in the grain should hope to get some of the grain for their work.”

11. Since we planted spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we should harvest material things?

New Century Version Chapter 9

8 I do not say this by human authority; God’s law also says the same thing. 9 It is written in the law of Moses: “When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth to keep it from eating.” When God said this, was he thinking only about oxen? No. 10 He was really talking about us. Yes, that Scripture was written for us, because it goes on to say: “The one who plows and the one who works in the grain should hope to get some of the grain for their work.” 11 Since we planted spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we should harvest material things?

(NCV)

4. When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth to keep it from eating.

Title of this message: The Muzzle Effect

New Century Version Chapter 25

4 When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth to keep it from eating.

: 4

Deuteronomy 25:4 NKJV

“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.

Paul speaking here desires that Timothy provide to all the people a full understanding of the power of there provision for the Leader that feeds them and watch’s over their souls. He brings them back to the first mention of the word Muzzle to express its importances. Paul a Hebrew of Hebrews has a deep understanding that the children of the Living God have a tendency to lack understanding concerning a matter within the Word of God.

(NLT Translation states) My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.

So when Paul quotes the Law of Moses he emphasized one key word and that was Muzzle.

Muzzle in Hebrew is the word (mah-som) which means lip covering.

Muzzle in Greek is the word (phimoo -fee-moo) silence; put to silence, quiet, speechless, still

Paul wanted Timothy to teach the people a timeless truth concerning spiritual matters. That Moses taught the children of Israel; when you cover the lips nothing gets in and nothing gets out.

This is the outcome of the Muzzle Effect

You see Moses understood, the need for the ox to feed so that it would remain strong and viable; Moses grow-up in Egypt and he learned all there ways so he understood that they mastered the art of agriculture they grow different types of grains, vegetables, fruits.

Moses understood that his people would have to master this skill, so he set Laws (principles) to guide them.

Please understand this - Moses was teaching them these principles before they entered the promise land.

God brought Israel through a process, to prepare them for there future in the promise land. Just like he takes us through a process before we can walk in the fullness of the blessings.

First step - He brought them out of Egypt - Freedom (mana stage)

Second step - He had them cross the red sea - He Transitioned them, He Transplant them and He Transformation them.

Third step - He had them at a mountain (mount sinai [the word Sinai means]: wilderness, sin) - Training ground, place of instruction, point of purging - we call it church.

Then came the promise, when we take God’s word to heart; then living in the promise is not problem even if the enemy is there.

Destruction is brought about by ignorance

Paul understood the process and wanted to ensure that Timothy’s people (and us) have this knowledge and understanding.

(AMP) Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Paul understood, that there lack of provision for the Leader was going to result in exactly the same out come as Israel. Destruction!

Understand the Muzzle effect: it is a direct correlation (connection) of our actions toward leaderships provision, resulting in spiritual and physical deficits manifesting in our lives.

A. Covers the lips - Nothing in and Nothing Out - (TPT)

3. Take nothing extra on your journey. Just go as you are. Don’t carry a staff, a backpack, food, money, not even a change of clothes.

4. Whatever home welcomes you as a guest, remain there and make it your base of ministry.

5. And whenever your ministry is rejected and not welcomed, you are to leave that town and shake the dust off your shoes as a testimony before them.

B. Put to Silence - (NKJV)

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

C. Speechless - (NKJV)

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

C. Still the Servant of God (motionless, unmoving) The Word of God said don’t Muzzle the Ox; The Man or Woman of God is working on our behave and we just shut them down.

Do you understand that when we cause them to be motionless, we have just STILLED the blessings of God in our lives.

We have just STILLED the purpose of God in our lives.

We have just STILLED the provision of God in our lives.

In the Gospel of Mark the Ox represents the Ministry of Jesus as the suffering servant, as the worker, serving mankind by preaching, teaching, healing and delivering from satanic bondage.

Removing the Muzzle:

A. The effect of not muzzling your leader is seen in the level of God’s provision in your life!

B. Growth in the Spirit

C. Greater Comprehension in God’s Word

(NKJV)

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

The New King James Version Chapter 6

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

God brings us from captive, through our red sea to the mount