The Strategy of Demoniac making someone Mute

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Fourteenth Week :  Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 9:32-38*

*First Reading : Gn 32:23-33*

*Responsorial Psalm : 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15*

*The Strategy of Demoniac making someone Mute*

*1) Muteness as a Sign of Captivity and Loss of Expression*

In the Bible, speech is closely tied to the human spirit, identity, and relationship with God. 

To be mute can symbolize being cut off from communication, not only with others but especially with God.

Demons attack the image of God in humanity

Since we are created to speak truth, praise God, and proclaim His Word, Satan’s goal is to silence that divine expression.

The mute man (Mt 9:32-33) was rendered incapable of this basic human dignity.

Just as blindness in John 9 pointed to spiritual blindness, muteness can point to spiritual silence—inability to pray, praise, or witness.

*2) Muteness and the Loss of Praise*

Psalm 115:4–8 speaks of idols that “have mouths but cannot speak”, and warns that those who make or trust them will become like them—spiritually mute.

A demon-caused muteness may reflect how sin and evil turn people into spiritual "idols"—lifeless, voiceless, unresponsive to God. 

The man in Matthew 9 only begins to speak after liberation—perhaps as a metaphor for regaining spiritual vitality.

*3) A Strategy to Prevent Testimony*

One of the devil’s tactics is to prevent people from testifying about God's power.

In Luke 8, Jesus delivers a demoniac who later proclaims what Jesus did (Lk 8:39).

But in Matthew 9, the demon silences the man completely.

This shows that demons often aim to suppress witness and block people from glorifying God. 

Speech is powerful—it spreads truth, faith, and deliverance. Silencing it is a form of spiritual warfare.

*4) The Mute Spirit in Mark 9*

In Mark 9:17–27, a man brings his son to Jesus who was possessed with a spirit, which made him mute 

This passage shows that the “mute spirit” is a real demonic entity. 

Jesus refers to it specifically as a “deaf and mute spirit”, and commands it to come out. 

The spirit cuts off the boy's ability to hear and speak—two essential ways we interact with the world and God.

This is symbolic: Sin and evil seek to isolate us—from truth, love, and worship. 

The demon made the boy unable to respond to God or others.

*5) Jesus Restores the Voice*

Each time a mute demoniac is healed, the first thing that happens is speech is restored:

“When the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke.” (Mt 9:33)

This signifies that Jesus restores:

The ability to praise and worship.

The freedom to communicate and connect.

The power to testify and evangelize.

*6) Why Demons Cause Muteness*

Biblically and spiritually, demonic muteness signifies:

A loss of spiritual life.

A strategy to block praise and testimony.

A sign of oppression and isolation.

But through Jesus, the Word of God, the silence is broken, and the human voice is restored to its true purpose: glorifying God and proclaiming His Kingdom.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*