Muzzle and Muffle

 

 

Muzzle and Muffle

Are two characters we employ

To shut up the Word

And steal our members’ joy.

 

I know this sounds funny

But it is true,

Let me get my thoughts together

And I will show it to you.

 

So, you are a believer

That is a great thing to be

But you were saved under a brand

That’s a denomination ID.

 

You were taught by them

And told what to believe

And you now understand the Word

Based on teachings received.

 

You have walked with them

And also with the Lord

Based on their interpretation

Of the Holy Word.

 

There is nothing wrong here

At least for a time

But you must allow the Holy Spirit

To develop your mind.

 

The time must come

When you must read for yourself

Become more mature

And grow in spiritual health.

 

 

Shake off those two characters:

Muzzle and Muffle,

Read the Holy Word for yourself

And with it grapple.

 

It is a denomination’s nature

To think for you

By muzzling and muffling the Word;

That’s how they were taught too.

 

I belong to a denomination too

And I guess I’ll always be,

I don’t plan to hop from place to place

The light for to see.

 

The right interpretation

Is where every denomination’s at

And on the basis of their interpretation

You agree to their pack.

 

But please remember

As you learn you should grow,

We should not let any denomination

Interrupt this flow.

 

 

It is by diligent study

And the leading of the Holy Spirit

That we can learn the Word too

Today and tomorrow, bit by bit.

 

If your denomination does not say

What the Holy Word says,

From that particular interpretation

It is time to part ways.

 

Our allegiance is to God first

And His Holy Word

When the denomination comes first

That is being absurd.

 

Shake off Muzzle and Muffle

And dig into God’s Word!

First, explicitly and then implicitly

And see where you have erred.

 

Let the Word correct your error

By what it says up front

And the Holy Spirit will enlighten you

What is the right account.

 

There is no need to interpret

What the Bible has explicitly said,

The implicit only comes into play

When there’s more to what’s read.

  

Regarding the implicit

To other scripture passages refer

And stay away from Muzzle and Muffle

Which denominations prefer.

 

Stay with the literal

When the literal makes sense

And please my brother, my sister,

I mean no offense.

 

Stewart Russell © January 29, 2021